Emergency Repairs: Pipeline Burst Disrupts Water Supply in Khutsong
- Karen Scheepers
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Merafong City Local Municipality issued a public notice yesterday, 15 January 2026, regarding an immediate water supply interruption that affected the community of Khutsong and surrounding areas. The interruption was triggered by a critical pipe burst at the Khutsong Northwest Clinic, an area of particular concern due to its proximity to an existing sinkhole.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Risks
Municipal officials made the decision to shut down the water supply as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety and prevent further damage to local infrastructure. There was a significant risk that failing to isolate the leak could have worsened the existing sinkholes in the area. Technical teams were dispatched to the site immediately and worked diligently throughout the day to repair the damaged pipeline.
Service Restoration and Support
During the repair process, the municipality focused on several key areas to minimize the impact on residents:
Restoration Timeline: Water supply was expected to return within one to two hours of the initial notice, depending on the complexity of the repairs.
Essential Services: Priority was given to schools and essential services, with water tankers mobilized to provide emergency supply.
Technical Investigations in Fochville: Simultaneously, technical teams and a PRV technician investigated pressure-related challenges at the 12 ML reservoir feeding Fochville to address separate supply line issues.
Municipal Apology
Municipal Manager Dumisani D. Mabuza expressed a sincere apology to all affected residents for the inconvenience. The municipality highlighted that while the shutdown was disruptive, it was a necessary step to protect the community from the risks associated with infrastructure failure near sinkhole zones.
With repairs having commenced yesterday, residents are encouraged to report any remaining pressure issues to the municipal help desk.
🚰 🛠️ ⚠️
Comments