Planned water supply maintenance for 23 to 25 April
21 April 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 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
Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:
Tuesday, 23 April 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00: Milnerton
Wednesday, 24 April 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00: Ridgeworth and Bloemhof
Thursday, 25 April 2024, from 07:00 until 17:00: Century City and Canal Walk Mall
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.
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:
Helena Heights (Somerset West)
The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be upgrading the water supply pipeline to the area from 08:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday, 23 April 2024. This will result in the disruption of the water supply during this period.
Residents in the Northern parts of the City to reduce water consumption
The Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant will be shut down for standard routine maintenance to operational valves from 08:00 until 16:00 on Thursday 25 April 2024. It will impact the water supply to the reservoirs supplying Durbanville, Fisantekraal, Klipheuwel Uitzicht, Pinehurst and Sonstraalhoogte in the Northern parts of the city. Residents in these areas are kindly requested to reduce their consumption during this period. The City is topping up its reservoirs prior to the shutdown.
The Drakenstein Municipality and residents along the Voëlvlei pipeline have been informed to make alternate arrangements during this period.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it maintains its bulk water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers.
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.
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
