Planned water supply maintenance for 12 to 14 March
10 March 2024
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 and prepare accordingly.
Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:
Tuesday, 12 March 2024 from 10:00 until 16:00: Cherrywood Gardens, Roundhay, Lionviham, Kalamunda and Audas Estate (Somerset West).
Thursday, 14 March 2024 from 09:00 until 16:00: Somerset Ridge, Westridge in Somerset West and Audas Estate in Bizweni (Somerset West).
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 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 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, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will result in water supply disruption to these areas:
Schaapkraal - Philippi
The maintenance team will be installing a 200mm diameter water meter on the water supply main on the on the corner of 11th Avenue and Strandfontein Road from 10:00 until 17:00 on Thursday, 14 March 2024. This will require that the water supply between 11th Avenue and Boundary Road and surrounds be shut off during this period to enable the work to be done safely. A water tanker will be made available to provide water for domestic consumption where required.
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 X account (formerly Twitter).
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.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
