Municipal Water Cuts – Sept 2025: 86‑Hour Rotational Shutdowns in Gauteng – Here’s How to Get Temporary Water Tanks!

Municipal Water Cuts – As the province of Gauteng prepares for one of the most significant water disruptions in recent memory, residents are being urged to take immediate action. Starting in September 2025, municipalities across the region will implement a rotational 86-hour water supply shutdown, leaving communities without access to running water for extended periods. With an escalating water crisis driven by infrastructure failures, drought, and increased demand, this temporary measure is part of a broader emergency plan to stabilize dwindling reservoir levels and repair critical pipelines.

The City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni have all confirmed their participation in this province-wide intervention, affecting millions of residents across urban and suburban areas. This disruption comes on the heels of months of intermittent water outages and public outcry over service delivery. Now, faced with up to three-and-a-half days without municipal water, residents must find alternative means to ensure access to safe and adequate water supplies.

From installing JoJo tanks to renting mobile water storage units or registering for community water delivery services, several temporary solutions are being promoted by local authorities and private vendors. However, demand is quickly outpacing supply, and households are advised to act swiftly to secure their water needs.

This guide outlines everything you need to know: areas affected, rotational schedules, where and how to get temporary water storage, pricing comparisons, and emergency tips. If you’re living in Gauteng, here’s how to prepare.

Areas Affected by the 86-Hour Water Shutdown

Most municipalities within Gauteng will be impacted by the shutdown, though the rotation schedule may vary. Authorities have released a list of zones expected to be affected first.

• Johannesburg South
• Soweto
• Midrand
• Centurion
• Pretoria West
• Kempton Park
• Springs
• Boksburg

Specific Suburbs and Impact Schedule

Here is a table outlining the impacted suburbs and scheduled outage windows:

Municipality	Suburb	Outage Start	Outage End	Alternative Supply Point	Priority Status	Notes
Johannesburg	Lenasia	12 Sep, 6:00 AM	15 Sep, 8:00 PM	Zakariyya Park Stadium	Low	Mobile tanker only
Johannesburg	Soweto (Zone 4–8)	13 Sep, 8:00 AM	16 Sep, 10:00 PM	Dobsonville Hall	Medium	Some tank refills
Tshwane	Centurion (West)	14 Sep, 5:00 AM	17 Sep, 7:00 PM	Centurion Mall Parking	High	Extra tanker deployed
Tshwane	Pretoria North	15 Sep, 7:00 AM	18 Sep, 9:00 PM	Onderstepoort School	Medium	Water trucks available
Ekurhuleni	Kempton Park CBD	12 Sep, 9:00 AM	15 Sep, 11:00 PM	Festival Mall Basement	High	Borehole supply nearby
Ekurhuleni	Boksburg North	14 Sep, 10:00 AM	17 Sep, 12:00 AM	Boksburg Civic Centre	Medium	Long queues expected
Ekurhuleni	Springs (Central)	13 Sep, 7:00 AM	16 Sep, 9:00 PM	Springs Library	Low	Tanker arrives daily

Where to Get Temporary Water Tanks and Mobile Storage

Residents have several options when it comes to temporary water storage, but it’s crucial to book early due to high demand.

• Purchase a water tank (500L–5000L) from local hardware stores.
• Rent mobile tanks with daily or weekly contracts.
• Use collapsible storage containers for small-scale water use.
• Sign up for municipal tanker delivery (registration required).
• Order emergency water refills from private water supply apps.

Top Vendors and Price Comparison Table

Vendor Name	Tank Size Options	Rental Rate (per week)	Delivery Fee	Purchase Option	Contact Info
JoJo Tanks SA	500L, 1000L, 2500L	R650 – R1,300	R250	Yes	www.jojo.co.za
WaterOnWheels	1000L, 1500L, 3000L	R700 – R1,500	R300	No	087 234 6754
AquaDirect	500L, 2000L, 5000L	R600 – R1,800	Free	Yes	[email protected]
TankYou Services	750L, 1500L, 5000L	R800 – R1,600	R200	Yes	tankyou.co.za
MobiWater SA	500L, 1200L, 2500L	R650 – R1,200	R280	No	076 223 7765

Registering for Municipal Tanker Water Delivery

Municipal water tanker services are available but require residents to register online or at their local ward offices.

• Visit your city’s official website to register your household.
• Provide ID, address, and number of residents.
• Specify medical or disability needs if applicable.
• Await SMS confirmation of tanker schedule.

Schedule Overview for Major Cities

City	Registration Deadline	Tanker Service Start	Average Delivery Time	Contact Number
Johannesburg	5 September 2025	12 September 2025	Every 36 hours	011 758 6000
Tshwane	6 September 2025	13 September 2025	Every 48 hours	012 358 9999
Ekurhuleni	5 September 2025	12 September 2025	Every 24 hours	0860 543 000

Water Saving Tips During the Shutdown

Conserving every drop is essential during the shutdown. Use these strategies to extend your supply.

• Fill bathtubs, buckets, and pots before outages begin.
• Use greywater (from washing) for toilets and gardens.
• Avoid long showers—use sponge baths instead.
• Use hand sanitizer where appropriate to save water.
• Limit laundry loads and dishwashing to essentials only.

Emergency Household Storage Tips

• Store water in dark, cool places to prevent algae growth.
• Label each container with the date it was filled.
• Use food-grade plastic containers for drinking water.
• Rotate water every 48 hours to maintain freshness.

Legal and Health Guidelines for Stored Water Use

Storing and using water correctly is key to staying healthy during outages.

• Boil all drinking water if unsure about quality.
• Keep stored water covered and out of sunlight.
• Do not mix old water with freshly stored water.
• Children should not have unsupervised access to large water containers.

Safety Precautions Around Temporary Tanks

• Secure tanks to prevent tipping or rolling.
• Avoid placing tanks on unstable surfaces.
• Ensure valves are properly sealed to prevent contamination.

Choosing Safe Storage Locations

• Always place tanks away from sewage lines or chemical storage.
• Do not store tanks directly under sun for extended periods.
• Prefer indoor or shaded outdoor corners for large tanks.

Treating Water for Long-Term Storage

• Add household bleach (unscented) in correct proportions to disinfect.
• Use water purification tablets for smaller containers.
• Label treated containers clearly with date and method used.

Table: Emergency Contacts and Resources for Each Municipality

Municipality	Emergency Hotline	Water Issue Reporting	Website	WhatsApp Support
Johannesburg	011 375 5555	0860 562 874	www.joburg.org.za	071 444 0030
Tshwane	012 358 9999	012 358 1600	www.tshwane.gov.za	060 966 3269
Ekurhuleni	0860 543 000	0860 102 201	www.ekurhuleni.gov.za	082 376 7245

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Will the water outage be continuous for 86 hours in every area?
No. The shutdown is rotational, meaning different areas will be affected at different times within the same week.

Q2: Can I use borehole or rainwater during the shutdown?
Yes. Ensure water is treated if used for drinking or cooking.

Q3: Is there a limit on how much water one can store?
There are no legal limits, but authorities recommend responsible usage.

Q4: How do I know when my suburb will be affected?
Check your municipality’s website or the local ward office for daily updates.

Q5: Will hospitals and schools have access to water?
Yes. Priority sites like hospitals, clinics, and schools will receive special tanker allocations.