Planned water supply maintenance for 22 to 26 September 2025

19 September 2025

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruption. 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.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruption. 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 water disruption, but aims to ensure they are able to prepare just in the event it does occur. 
 
Planned maintenance work will result in water supply disruption to these areas:

Part of Cape Town CBD (All streets between Plein and Roeland Streets)

The City’s Water and Sanitation maintenance teams will temporarily shut off the water main in Plein Street, Cape Town, to enable Parliament to upgrade its fire supply system. A test water shut-off will occur on Monday, 22 September 2025 from 10:00 to 13:00 and the actual shut-off will take place on Friday, 26 September 2025 from 09:00 to 16:00. 

Hanover Park, Athlone, Rylands, Newfields, Pinati Estate, Belthorn Estate, Penlyn Estate and Belgravia 

A City-appointed contractor is conducting low-pressure investigations to improve the water supply in these areas. The project commenced on 9 June 2025 and is expected to continue for approximately five months. On Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 09:00 to 17:00, the contractor will be servicing the Jan Smuts Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV), which supplies Athlone, Belthorn Estate and Crawford. This may result in intermittent periods of low water pressure or no water supply.

Panorama, Plattekloof and Welgelegen

A City-appointed contractor will be carrying out field investigations over the next ten months to verify the operation of the existing potable water supply zones in these areas. On Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 10:00 to 16:00, residents may experience intermittent supply disruptions as the contractor confirms the status of divisional valves in the water network.

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

• Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 09:00 until 17:00: Mfuleni
• Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 10:00 until 16:00: Kraaifontein Industria and Wynland Industria Park
• Thursday, 25 September 2025, from 10:00 until 16:00: Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial and Okavango Park

Zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for zone management infrastructure. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing new infrastructure (such as pressure reducing valves for pressure management). 
 
In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure while some may have no water during the testing period. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which exact areas or streets will experience disruptions. 
 
Additional zone management investigations will be carried out to ensure that the existing infrastructure is operating effectively. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but every effort will be made to minimise the impact 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.
 
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:
City of Cape Town, Media Office