Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) has reported a total power failure that has disrupted pumping at Rand Water’s Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant. The incident occurred on Sunday,13 September 2026 at approximately 11h25.

The Vereeniging Water Treatment Plant supplies the Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes, and Vereeniging–Vanderbijlpark–Sasolburg (VVS) systems. Technicians from Emfuleni Local Municipality are currently investigating the cause of the power outage. At this stage, there is no estimated time for the restoration of the electricity supply.

The power outage has resulted in reduced pumping capacity at the following booster stations:

• Eikenhof: 50%
• Zwartkopjes: 50%
• Daleside: 50%
• Amanzimtoti: 0%

The interruption in pumping operations may lead to the depletion of water levels at the following

Rand Water reservoirs:

Eikenhof System

• Waterval
• Roodepoort
• Krugersdorp
• Weltevreden
• Meredale
• Witpoortjie
• Libanon
• Driefontein
• Barnardsvlei
• Rustenburg.

Zwartkopjes System

• Benoni
• Foresthill
• Daleside.

VVS System

• Sasolburg
• Langerand.

Customers supplied by these reservoirs and systems may experience reduced water pressure or complete interruptions to water supply until normal operations are restored.

As a result, customers in the Cities of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni, as well as the Merafong City, Rand West City, Mogale City, Madibeng, Rustenburg, Emfuleni, Metsimaholo and Ngwathe Local Municipalities and the Royal Bafokeng Administration, may experience water supply disruptions. Various industries, mines and other direct Rand Water customers may also be affected. Rand Water apologises for the inconvenience caused and assures customers that every effort is being made to restore normal operations as soon as the electricity supply is reinstated.

Rand Water is committed to providing uninterrupted, high-quality bulk potable water to ALL its customers.