An explosion on power lines that feed a key water-pumping hub risks cutting supply to parts of South Africa's commercial hub of Johannesburg and key platinum- and gold-mining towns to the city's west, the continent's biggest bulk-water supplier said.

The disruption threatens residential areas and critical mining operations that drive the regional economy. Authorities are assessing the damage to determine the timeline for restoration while emergency measures are being implemented to mitigate the impact on affected communities.

The bulk-water supplier, which serves as the primary water utility for the Gauteng province, has warned that the outage could persist until repairs are completed on the damaged transmission infrastructure. Mining companies in the West Rand area are particularly vulnerable to prolonged supply interruptions.

Residents and businesses have been urged to conserve water as repair crews work to restore power to the pumping station. The incident highlights the fragility of critical infrastructure linking energy and water systems in the region.