Dear colleague

As part of essential water infrastructure upgrades, a complete temporary shutdown of the water supply will be implemented on the Vanderbijlpark Campus during the upcoming recess period to minimise disruption to academic and operational activities.

SHUTDOWN SCHEDULE

Full campus shutdown (affecting all buildings and facilities): 26 April to 28 April 2026 (3 days)

Targeted sectional shutdown (primarily affecting residences, with isolation of non-residential areas where possible): 28 April to 1 May 2026 (4 days)

SCOPE AND IMPACT MITIGATION MEASURES

• The initial full shutdown will impact the entire campus, followed by a more limited, targeted isolation focused mainly on residences.
• All essential services (e.g. critical laboratories, security systems, fire suppression, medical facilities, or any operations requiring continuous water access) must notify the Facilities Maintenance team as soon as possible. Campus Operations and Facilities will coordinate appropriate mitigation measures upon receipt of this information.
• Backup arrangements, such as water tankers or alternative supply points, will be evaluated and implemented where necessary for essential needs. Given the timing during recess, overall risk and demand are expected to be low.
• Comprehensive communication to staff, students, and residents will be issued in advance via the NWU's internal daily communication channels, ensuring all stakeholders are well-informed.
• All works will fully comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations. A detailed method statement, risk assessment, and contingency plan are available upon request from the Facilities team.

We have deliberately scheduled these upgrades during the recess period to significantly reduce the impact on academic programmes, research activities, and residential life.

Should you have any questions, require additional details, or need to report essential services that may require support, please contact Pieter van Heerden or the Facilities Maintenance team directly at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Kind regards

Facilities Maintenance