Johannesburg water outages today (12 November 2026): areas hit
Johannesburg Water shut 16 systems in Soweto, Roodepoort, Florida and Cosmo City from midday on 12 November because of bulk supply constraints. No return time yet.
By Reported Team · Updated
Final update (11:58 SAST, 13 November 2026): This page is no longer being updated. Johannesburg Water says it is beginning to reopen bulk supply in Roodepoort and Soweto today, with low pressure or intermittent supply until reservoirs refill (Johannesburg Water, 11:45). For today's details, see Johannesburg water outages on 13 November 2026.
Johannesburg Water says the bulk water system is severely constrained, and 16 supply systems in Soweto, Roodepoort and the north west had to be fully closed on an urgent basis from around midday on Thursday, 12 November 2026. It says this was done to stop Eikenhof's bulk water reserves dropping further (Johannesburg Water notice, 19:40).
No restoration time has been given. Johannesburg Water says it will review the system on Friday, 13 November, and share an update on reservoir levels as soon as possible (Johannesburg Water).
Which systems were shut down?
These are the systems named in Johannesburg Water's 19:40 customer notice. They are supply zones, so the suburbs they feed may have no water or very low pressure (Johannesburg Water).
| Area | Systems fully closed |
|---|---|
| Soweto | Meadowlands North, Zondi, Protea Glen, Chiawelo, Power Park |
| Roodepoort and Florida | Roodepoort Deep Township, Florida South, Florida 250MM, Florida South Boundary Meter, Grober Park, Boschkop HP |
| North west | Cosmo City, Honeydew 1 and 2, Doornkop North, Braamfischerville Ext 8 Direct Feed, Noorgesig Direct Feed |
Johannesburg Water says alternative water supply will be arranged by region where practical (Johannesburg Water).
Why is this happening?
Johannesburg Water blames bulk supply constraints. Rand Water, which supplies the city, said in October it would hold Johannesburg to its allocation of 1,528 megalitres a day after the city used an average of 1,724 megalitres a day in September (Mail and Guardian). Rand Water warned this could mean low pressure or intermittent supply.
Which other areas face throttling tonight?
Johannesburg Water is also throttling other reservoirs and towers. Some started at around 14:00, others at 18:00 and 20:00 on 12 November, and they end at around 05:00 or 14:00 on 13 November. Cuts range from 50% to 100%, and some outlets are completely closed. Times can change (Johannesburg Water).
| Throttling type | Reservoirs, towers and pump stations |
|---|---|
| Daily | Orange Farm High Level, Lenasia High Level, Lenasia Hospital Hill, Lawley, President Park outlet, Alexander (Skeen and Bheki Langa), Forest Hill direct supply |
| Rotations when needed | Meadowlands, Berea, Lawley, Yeoville Pump Station (reduced pumping), Rabie Ridge, Protea Glen and Witpoortjie pump stations |
| 24 hours | Foresthill Tower bypass |
How are Sandton and Midrand doing?
At 19:55, every Sandton reservoir and tower was supplying fairly or adequately, including Illovo, Bryanston, Morningside, Linbro Park and Marlboro (Johannesburg Water).
In Midrand at 19:50, President Park Reservoir's outlet was closed, Rabie Ridge Tower had no pumping overnight, and Steyn City Reservoir was on bypass with poor pressure to no water expected. Erand, Grand Central Tower and Diepsloot were supplying adequately (Johannesburg Water).
What should you do if your taps are dry?
Store water when supply returns and keep enough drinking water for at least a day. Close your taps so a sudden return doesn't flood sinks. Use water sparingly, as Johannesburg Water says recovery depends on demand coming down.
How do you report a water outage in Johannesburg?
Call Johannesburg Water on 0860 562 874 or 010 061 4470, email [email protected], or message @JHBWater on X. Keep your reference number (Johannesburg Water).
FAQ
When will water be back in Soweto, Roodepoort and Cosmo City?
Johannesburg Water has not given a restoration time. It says it will review the bulk supply system on Friday, 13 November 2026, and update reservoir levels as soon as possible.
Why did Johannesburg Water close these systems?
It says the bulk water supply system is severely constrained, and the systems were closed from around midday on 12 November 2026 to stop Eikenhof's bulk water reserves dropping further.
What number do I call to report a Johannesburg water outage?
Call Johannesburg Water on 0860 562 874 or 010 061 4470, or email [email protected], and keep your reference number.
Sources
- Johannesburg Water on X: customer notice on bulk supply constraints
- Johannesburg Water on X: management of systems
- Johannesburg Water on X: Sandton system update
- Johannesburg Water on X: Midrand system update
- Mail and Guardian: Rand Water to restrict supply to Johannesburg and Tshwane
- Johannesburg Water daily notices