By Cllr Frans Boshielo
MMC for Utility Services
The City of Tshwane has made significant progress in repairing the 1000mm HDPE
bulk water pipeline that supplies parts of the Pretoria CBD and surrounding areas,
with the first of two burst sections now successfully repaired and work on the second section already underway.
The MMC for Utilities, Cllr Frans Boshielo, can confirm that repair teams have completed the installation of the replacement pipe at the first burst location and are currently finalising the securing of connections before proceeding with repairs to the second damaged section, which has already been excavated and fully assessed.
“Our teams have been working continuously since the incident was detected, and we
are encouraged by the substantial progress that has already been made.
Every available resource remains deployed to ensure that repairs are completed safely and that water supply is restored as quickly as possible,” said MMC Boshielo.
The City was first alerted to a significant water leak on 21 June 2026 near the Gautrain Station, adjacent to the former Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Subsequent investigations confirmed bursts at two separate locations on the 1000mm HDPE bulk water pipeline.
To facilitate repairs and prevent further water losses, the affected section of the network was isolated and excavation work commenced immediately.
The interruption has affected parts of the Pretoria CBD, Arcadia, Eastwood, Sunnyside and Bryntirion, as well as several healthcare facilities, government institutions and businesses.
To mitigate the impact on affected communities, the City activated its
emergency response measures and deployed water tankers.
These tankers will remain operational until normal supply has been restored.
MMC Boshielo noted that the City’s response reflects the continued implementation of the Water Stabilisation Plan, which is strengthening the City’s ability to respond rapidly to major infrastructure failures while investing in the long-term resilience of the water network.
“Through the Water Stabilisation Plan, the City has expanded its emergency response capability, increased the availability of municipal water tankers, strengthened maintenance interventions and accelerated investment in critical water infrastructure.
The City has already procured 44 additional water tankers as part of this programme to reduce reliance on external service providers and improve our ability to respond to service interruptions.
While ageing infrastructure remains a
challenge across many parts of the network, our response to this incident demonstrates the growing capacity of the City to manage disruptions and restore services effectively.”
The City remains committed to addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges
through sustained investment in maintenance, upgrades and network resilience.
The Water Stabilisation Plan is delivering measurable improvements in operational
readiness and response capability while laying the foundation for a more reliable and sustainable water supply system.
Water tankers will continue servicing affected areas while repairs are completed.
A projected timeline for the restoration of supply will be communicated once repairs to
the second burst section have been finalised and the pipeline has undergone the necessary testing and commissioning processes.
MMC Boshielo thanked residents for their patience and cooperation during this period and encouraged all consumers to continue using water responsibly while restoration efforts continue.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank residents for their understanding and patience.
The City remains focused on restoring supply as swiftly as possible while continuing to implement long-term interventions that will secure a stable, resilient and dependable water future for all residents of Tshwane.”
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