Parts of Cape Town – rich and poor – without water this week for maintenance

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruptions. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

This critical maintenance work is done on our water supply infrastructure to benefit customers.

Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to take note of the work that will take place and prepare accordingly.

What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:

1. Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.

2. All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to members of the public.

3. Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.

4. For a short period after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky. This is because of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal.

How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:

1. Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.

2. Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Tuesday, 11 June 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00: Claremont, Kenilworth and Rondebosch.
Wednesday, 12 June 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00: Claremont, Kenilworth and Rondebosch.
Thursday, 13 June 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00: Claremont, Kenilworth and Rondebosch.

Pressure management installations and operations

Zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves (PRVs).

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during this testing period. It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

Maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements

Residents are kindly requested to store enough water as a precautionary measure as this work will result in water supply disruption to these areas:

Part of Century City

The Office of the City Ombudsman in conjunction with the Water and Sanitation Directorate will be undertaking a meter verification exercise in Century City from 08:30 and 15:00 on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. The affected area where the water supply will be disrupted/shut down is the area bounded by Park Lane, Century Way and Esplana for inspections to be done by the relevant role-players.

Silversands – Kuils River

A meter and pressure-reducing valve (PRV) installation will be done on the main water supply to the Silversands area in Kuils River. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 10:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

CBD, Foreshore, Gardens and Tamboerskloof – Cape Town

The Water and Sanitation Directorate needs to conduct an urgent assessment of the water supply main to the CBD, Foreshore, Gardens and Tamboerskloof areas in the City, requiring the water to be shut off. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 10:00 until 18:00 Tuesday, 11 June 2024. This work is part of the ongoing assessment of the water supply infrastructure affected by a severe leak, which will scheduled for repair.

Blomtuin, Blommendal and La Rochelle – Bellville

A valve installation will be done on the main water supply to these areas in Bellville. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 08:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 11 June 2024.

Steenbras Water Treatment Plant shutdown

The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting down the Steenbras Water Treatment Plant temporarily from 08:00 on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 until 18:00 on Thursday, 13 June 2024 to enable the maintenance team to do routine maintenance. The reservoirs supplying Gordon’s Bay will be filled in advance and residents in the area are kindly requested to reduce their water consumption during this period. Water supply from elsewhere in the bulk water network will be rerouted to the Steenbras water supply areas.

Site B – Khayelitsha

The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be attending to a leak on the water main in Aliam Drive in Site B, Khayelitsha, requiring that the water be temporarily shut off from 08:00 until 18:00 on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 for repairs to be done safely. This will result in the disruption of the water supply to a large part of Site B, including Nonkqubela and Victoria Mxenge. Residents are kindly advised to store enough drinking water in advance in clean, sealed containers for use during this period. Water tankers will be roaming through these areas to provide water for domestic consumption.

Bizweni – Somerset West

A meter and pressure-reducing valve (PRV) installation will be done on the main water supply to the Bizweni area in Somerset West. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 10:00 until 17:00 on Thursday, 13 June 2024.

Part of Tokai

A meter installation will be done on the main water supply to the area bounded by Main Road, the Keyser River, Tokai Villas and Zwaanswyk Village Road in Tokai. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 21:00 on Thursday, 13 June 2024 overnight until 04:30 Friday, 14 June 2024.