Rand Water | Integrated Annual Report 2025

INTEGRATED ANNUAL REPO

THEME OF OUR 2025 INTEGRATED REPORT

EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES IN SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY

Rand Water, Africa’s largest water utility, supplies potable bulk water to more than 18 million people across Gauteng, parts of Mpumalanga, Free State, and the North West. Through operational excellence, advanced infrastructure and sustainable practices, the organisation continues to ensure the reliable delivery of safe, high-quality water to its municipal, mining, industrial and agricultural customers. The utility sources its water primarily from the Vaal Dam, supported by advanced hydrological monitoring systems that track water levels and quality to ensure long-term water security. At the core of its operations are the Zuikerbosch and Vereeniging purification plants, which employ a multi-stage treatment process monitored in real time to maintain compliance with SANS 241 drinking water standards. Once treated, water is conveyed through a 3,500 km pipeline and pumping network to 60 strategically placed reservoirs. These reservoirs balance demand during peak usage periods and are integrated into a centralised SCADA system, which enables data-driven decision-making for water flow, pressure management and emergency responses. Predictive technologies such as pipeline inspection gauges and pressure management systems further enhance efficiency by detecting leaks, reducing bursts and minimising non-revenue water. As population growth and climate change intensify the demand for water, Rand Water remains committed to building resilient infrastructure that safeguards future supply. This commitment is evident in the development of new assets such as the 210 megalitre Vlakfontein Reservoir in Ekurhuleni and the Station 5 Water Treatment Plant within Zuikerbosch. At the same time, the organisation’s five-year maintenance programme ensures reliability through the regular inspection, cleaning and upgrading of infrastructure, which prevents corrosion, reduces bursts and sustains water quality. During 2024/25 financial year, several large-scale maintenance initiatives were successfully executed. In June and July 2024 respectively, pipeline replacements, reservoir cleaning and key pump station upgrades were undertaken with minimal service disruption. In December 2024, a critical 86-hour maintenance programme reinforced reservoirs, realigned pipelines and introduced alternative supply arrangements in collaboration with customers. Between May and July 2025, multiple projects were completed to increase capacity, plant availability and operational efficiency, including the tie-in of the B16 pipeline between Zuikerbosch and Station 5, which was delivered ahead of schedule. While such projects may cause temporary supply interruptions, the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconvenience. By continuing to invest in infrastructure maintenance and development, Rand Water demonstrates its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability and resilience, thereby expanding the possibilities in sustainable water supply for the benefit of communities, industries and future generations.

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Rand Water | Integrated Annual Report 2025