Planned water supply maintenance for 12 - 17 September 2023
08 September 2023
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 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.
This work will result in water supply disruptions to these areas:
Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments
1. Rylands – Athlone
Step-testing will be done on the water supply network in this area from 21:00 on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 13 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to divide the water supply area into smaller zones to map the water supply into the area.
2. Claremont
Zero-pressure tests will be done on the main water supply pipeline to this area from 20:00 on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 13 September 2023, and again from 21:00 on Thursday, 14 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 15 September 2023.
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.
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 overnight testing period. It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.
Conditional testing on the other hand ensures that the pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are operating effectively and managing the pressures at the determined settings to preserve the lifespan of the pipeline and reduce the occurrence of water wastage resulting from pipe bursts. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but will be minimised as far as possible.
This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.
Maintenance work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements
This work will result in the water supply disruption to these areas:
1. Bergvliet, Constantia, Diep River, Elfindale, Heathfield, Meadowridge, Kirstenhof, Plumstead,
Southfield and Tokai
The water supply from the Wynberg Upper Reservoir will be shut-off from 08:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 12 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely replace a 535mm diameter water meter. These areas will experience low water pressure and need to reduce their water consumption during this period.
2. Knole Park, Ottery
The water supply to this area will be shut-off from 08:00 until 19:00 on Thursday, 14 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a 300mm water meter. A water tanker will be placed in the area to provide water for domestic consumption.
3. Capri
The water supply main to this area will be shut-off from 09:00 until 16:00 on Thursday, 14 September 2023, to enable the maintenance team to install two PRVs and a water meter on the main water supply pipeline.
4. Sonstraal Heights, Bakersfield, Villa Palazzo, Vredekloof, Pinehurst and Bergshoop
A tie-in will be done on the main water supply to these areas from 20:30 on Thursday, 14 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 15 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to do the installation of a new PRV and repairs of isolation valves on the pipeline.
5. Everite Industria and Brackenfell Industria
The main water supply to this area will be shut-off from 08:30 until 20:00 on Sunday, 17 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a T-piece on the pipeline in Kruis Pad, Brackenfell.
This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.
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.
For updates on the maintenance work (and location of tankers where applicable), follow @CityofCTAlerts which is a City of Cape Town Twitter account.
How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:
5. Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
6. Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
End
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
