Johannesburg residents must brace for a 19-Hour Water Shutdown on Friday, 14 February 2025, as Johannesburg Water conducts critical maintenance. The shutdown will begin at 06:00 on Friday and last until 01:00 on Saturday, 15 February.
The 19-Hour Water Shutdown will affect several suburbs, especially in and around Lenasia, where teams will be repairing a leaking bypass pipe on the F33 pipeline. The repair is necessary to prevent future disruptions, but residents must prepare as there will be no water supply during this period.
Why Is the 19-Hour Water Shutdown Happening?
Johannesburg Water has confirmed that the 19-Hour Water Shutdown is necessary for urgent maintenance on the F33 pipeline, which supplies water to many areas. The pipeline has developed a leak, and without repairs, it could lead to even larger outages in the future.
While Johannesburg Water aims to complete repairs within 19 hours, officials have assured that if work extends beyond 24 hours, alternative water supplies will be arranged.
Which Areas Will Be Affected?
Residents in the following suburbs will experience a full water outage during the 19-Hour Water Shutdown:
- Lenasia (All extensions)
- Lenasia South
- Thembelihle
- Zakariya Park
- Lehae
- Vlakfontein
- Fine Town
- Migson Manor
- Meriting
If you live in these areas, prepare in advance by storing water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes.
Johannesburg’s Water Crisis & Supply Challenges
The 19-Hour Water Shutdown comes at a time when Johannesburg is facing ongoing water shortages. In 2024, Johannesburg Water implemented water throttling, reducing water pressure during certain hours to manage consumption and prevent infrastructure collapse.
Additionally, Rand Water, which supplies water to Johannesburg and other parts of Gauteng, has reported a sharp decline in reservoir levels. The levels have dropped from 70% to below 40% in just a few weeks, leading to more frequent water cuts across the city.
Many reservoirs are currently either critically low or completely empty, affecting thousands of residents who are already struggling with unreliable water supply.
Political and Community Reactions to the 19-Hour Water Shutdown
The 19-Hour Water Shutdown has sparked backlash from opposition leaders and community members, who argue that the Johannesburg Council is failing to provide residents with a basic human right.
Jack Bloom, DA leader in Johannesburg, has criticized the government for violating Section 27(1)(b) of the South African Constitution, which states that every person has the right to sufficient water.
Bloom has also submitted hundreds of testimonials from frustrated residents detailing the hardships caused by ongoing water outages, including:
- Difficulties in maintaining hygiene
- Challenges flushing toilets
- Struggles preparing food
- Impact on families with babies and sick individuals
- Extra costs of buying bottled water
He has called on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to hold Johannesburg Council accountable and push for immediate relief for affected residents.
How to Prepare for the 19-Hour Water Shutdown
If you live in one of the affected areas, take the following steps to ensure you have enough water for the duration of the 19-Hour Water Shutdown:
- Store enough water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene.
- Fill large containers, buckets, and bottles before the shutdown begins.
- Use water sparingly before and after the shutdown to help conserve supply.
- Ensure elderly and sick family members have access to enough water.
- Keep emergency water supplies in case the shutdown lasts longer than expected.
Johannesburg Water has not provided an exact timeline for pressure restoration, so residents should plan for delays in water returning to normal levels.
When Will Water Be Restored After the 19-Hour Water Shutdown?
Water supply is expected to gradually return after 01:00 on Saturday, 15 February, but pressure may take several hours to normalize.
If repairs extend beyond 24 hours, Johannesburg Water has committed to providing alternative water sources in the form of water tankers.
Residents should stay updated by following Johannesburg Water’s official social media pages and local news updates.
Related: Johannesburg to Experience 7-8 Hour Power Outage Across 39 Areas
Final Thoughts on the 19-Hour Water Shutdown
The 19-Hour Water Shutdown highlights Johannesburg’s ongoing water challenges and the need for long-term infrastructure solutions.
While maintenance work is necessary to prevent larger failures in the future, residents continue to suffer from poor water management and unreliable supply. As frustrations grow, pressure is increasing on city officials to improve water infrastructure, stabilize reservoir levels, and ensure consistent supply.
For now, Johannesburg residents must prepare for yet another dry day—and hope their taps don’t remain dry longer than expected.
