Planned water supply maintenance for 20 to 22 December 2025

19 December 2025

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct planned work in the identified areas, which may result in water supply disruptions. 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.

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

Residents are advised to store enough water in advance as a precautionary measure. Water should be stored in clean, sealed containers. This precaution does not guarantee all residents will have a water disruption, but it aims to ensure they are able to prepare in the event it does occur.
 
Planned maintenance work will result in water supply disruption to these areas:
 
Knole Park, Schaapkraal, Strandfontein, Strandfontein Pavilion, part of Lotus River, Phumlani, Eagle Park, Pelican Park, Peacock Close, Pelican Heights and the Deep South

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will temporarily shut off the 1 500mm to 1 220mm diameter bulk water pipeline in Ottery Road, Philippi from 15:00 on Saturday, 20 December 2025, until 24:00 on Monday, 22 December 2025. This will enable the bulk water maintenance team to do emergency  repairs to the leaking scour valve on the 1 220mm diameter pipeline. Alternate water supply will be rerouted to the affected areas albeit at lower pressure.
 
What residents can expect:

• Knole Park and Schaapkraal – Low water pressure to no water.
• Strandfontein – Low water pressure.
• Strandfontein Pavilion – Low water pressure to no water.
• Pelican Heights – Low water pressure to no water.
• Part of Lotus River, Phumlani, Eagle Park, Pelican Park and Peacock Close – Low water pressure.
• The Deep South – Lower pressure due to rerouting of water supply to other areas.
• Water tankers will be made available where required.
• NB: When the repairs to this bulk water main has been completed, it will take quite some time for the distribution network to fill up and for the water supply network to stabilise. This is because it is a slow process to purge the trapped air from the network to prevent secondary bursts which will delay restoring the water supply to all the areas.  

University Estate, part of Woodstock, Groote Schuur Hospital and surrounds

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will temporarily shut off the water supply to these areas from 09:00 on Sunday, 21 December 2025, until completion. This will enable the maintenance team to safely reinstate and uncap the 360 mm diameter water main and also install a control valve in the vicinity of Hospital Bend to Philip Kgosana Drive in Observatory. These areas will experience no water during this period. Water tankers will be made available during this period.
 
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience.
 
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.

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:
Media Office, City of Cape Town