Maintenance Alert: Essential Water Infrastructure Upgrades in Potchefstroom

 The JB Marks Local Municipality has issued a public notice regarding a scheduled water supply shutdown on Wednesday, 25 March 2026. The interruption is required to allow contractors to remove "Old Pump No. 5" at the Ventersdorp Road Pump Station—a critical step in the municipality’s ongoing efforts to modernize local water infrastructure.

Shutdown Schedule

The maintenance team is expected to begin work early in the morning, with the shutdown spanning most of the day:

• Start Time: 06:00 AM

• Estimated Completion: Late evening

• Duration: Approximately 14–16 hours

Affected Neighborhoods and Facilities

The shutdown will impact a significant portion of the western and northern sectors of Potchefstroom, including several key medical and military installations. Residents and businesses in the following areas should prepare for dry taps:

• Residential Areas: Kanonierspark, Dassierand, Promosa, Mohadin, and all Ikageng Extensions.

• Key Facilities: Witrand Hospital and the SANDF base.

• Infrastructure: Eersterantjies Reservoirs.

How to Prepare

While the municipality aims to restore services as quickly as possible, the Communication Unit advises all affected residents to take the following precautions:

1. Store Water Early: Fill containers and bathtubs on Tuesday evening to ensure you have enough water for drinking, cooking, and basic hygiene.

2. Manage Consumption: Limit the use of washing machines and dishwashers during the shutdown period.

3. Check Appliances: Ensure that geysers and water pumps are monitored or turned off if necessary to prevent damage from airlocks or dry running.

Note from the Municipality: "This work is critical to improve and maintain the reliability of the water supply infrastructure and to ensure sustainable service delivery in the long term. We regret the inconvenience and appreciate the community’s patience."

The removal of the aging pump is part of a broader strategy to stabilize the grid and prevent the frequent unplanned outages that have frustrated residents in recent months.