Tshwane cuts water overnight at 14 reservoirs. What it means for you

Update (08:55 SAST, 28 October 2026): The disruption has carried into Wednesday. High-lying parts of Moreleta Park and Elardus Park are still without water and Klapperkop remains at about 5% (City of Tshwane, 27 Oct). For today's affected areas, tanker delays and restoration news, read Tshwane water outages today (28 October 2026). This article will no longer be updated.

Update (15:55 SAST, 27 October 2026): Tshwane says supply is starting to recover. The Garsfontein receiving reservoir has improved significantly and is now stable above 60%, and pumping from Garsfontein to Elardus Park has resumed. Elardus Park's reservoirs are refilling, and pumping to homes there will restart once levels are high enough (City of Tshwane, 27 Oct).

The Klapperkop receiving reservoir is still at 5%, so restrictions on that system stay in place. Carina Reservoir, on the Klapperkop system, has recovered enough for pumping to the network to resume. The city says some areas on both systems may still get low pressure or intermittent supply while levels recover, and the next update will follow the daily water committee meeting (City of Tshwane, 27 Oct).

Separately, the city has stopped tankers filling at the Cullinan hydrant after routine testing found elevated turbidity. Residents in parts of Ekangala who collected water from two tankers before the recall should not use it and should throw it away (City of Tshwane, 27 Oct).

The City of Tshwane is cutting water supply overnight at 14 reservoirs that still have enough storage but are being drained by very high use. Mayor Nasiphi Moya announced the step on Monday night, 26 October, after the city's new daily water management committee met (City of Tshwane).

The goal is to take pressure off Rand Water's bulk system so that critically low reservoirs, mainly Garsfontein and Klapperkop, can refill (City of Tshwane).

Will my suburb lose water at night?

Only if it is fed by one of the 14 reservoirs. Moya's statement of 26 October does not name them or give the hours of the cuts (City of Tshwane).

Moya said the cuts "will cause temporary inconvenience to additional residents" but are needed to help communities that have gone without water for days (TimesLIVE).

Why is Tshwane running short?

The city blames a mix of infrastructure failures, less bulk water from Rand Water and exceptionally high consumption (City of Tshwane). On 26 October the Klapperkop and Garsfontein receiving reservoirs were still critically low, with incoming water used up before levels could recover (City of Tshwane).

Elardus Park is hit hardest because its supply depends on pumps that only run safely once the reservoir is high enough. Parkmore and Waverley were stable on 26 October (City of Tshwane).

The two systems feed reservoirs across Pretoria. The city's list of those that could be affected includes Moreleta, Lynnwood, Waverley, Elardus Park, Monument Park, Muckleneuk, Montana and Mamelodi reservoirs on the Garsfontein side, and Waterkloof, Parkmore, Salvokop and Carina Street on the Klapperkop side (Jacaranda FM).

Moya also said a video of a major leak at Garsfontein doing the rounds on social media is old. It shows a pipe that was repaired last week, and there is no major leak there now (City of Tshwane).

Is water coming back in Montana?

It should improve. The Roodeplaat Water Treatment Plant is producing again after electrical repairs, which will help restore supply on the Montana system (City of Tshwane). Montana Park, Magalieskruin, Sinoville, Annlin and Doornpoort may still have low pressure or interruptions while it recovers (OurPower, relaying the city's notice).

Is Tshwane tap water safe to drink?

In the Pretoria CBD, yes. The boil-water advisory linked to Findlay Reservoir was lifted on 24 October after testing confirmed the water was safe (TimesLIVE).

In Bronkhorstspruit and Hammanskraal Phase 3, no. Residents must keep using authorised alternative supplies until the city confirms the water is safe (TimesLIVE). Our Bronkhorstspruit update has the latest case numbers and tanker rules.

What should I do now?

• Use water only for essentials. Don't water gardens, wash cars or fill pools (City of Tshwane).
• If you have no water, the city's regional teams are sending tankers, and ward councillors will share where they are (City of Tshwane).
• Report water faults on 012 358 9999 (OurPower).