Planned water supply maintenance for 26 September to 5 October
24 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
- Claremont, Newlands and Rondebosch.
Step-testing will be done on the water supply network in these areas from 21:00 on Tuesday, 26 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 27 September 2023 and again from 21:00 on Thursday, 28 September 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 29 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to do conditional assessments on the water supply into the area. - Bizweni – Somerset West
The water supply to this area will be shut off from 20:00 on Wednesday, 27 September 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 28 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely do zero pressure testing on the water supply network in the area.
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:
- Site B – Nonkqubela area (Khayelitsha)
A test shut off will be done on the water supply to these areas from 08:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 for. This will enable the maintenance team to safely determine the impact as part of the planning for the installation of a 450mm diameter valve on the main water supply pipeline. Water tankers will be providing water for domestic consumption where required. - Northern parts of the City – Durbanville, Kraaifontein, Bloekombos, Wallacedene, Joostenbergvlakte and Bellville
The Blackheath Water Treatment Plant will be shut down from 00:00 on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 until 24:00 on Wednesday, 27 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a 1500mm diameter water meter. The Stellenbosch municipality as well as private consumers along the Riviersonderend pipeline have already been informed. Residents in the northern parts of the City are kindly requested to reduce their water consumption during this period. - Gordons Bay, Strand and Somerset West
The Steenbras Water Treatment Plant will be shut down from 08:00 until 24:00 on Friday, 29 September 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely replace a 400mm diameter water meter. Alternate water supply will be rerouted to these areas and some parts may experience lower than usual water pressure during this period. Residents in these areas are kindly requested to reduce their water consumption during this period. - Northern parts of the City – Durbanville, Kraaifontein, Bloekombos, Wallacedene, Joostenbergvlakte and Bellville
The Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plant will be shut down for maintenance from 24:00 on Monday, 2 October 2023 until 24:00 on Tuesday, 3 October 2023. The Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities as well as private consumers along the Wemmershoek pipeline have already been informed. Residents in the northern parts of the City are kindly requested to reduce their water consumption during this period. This work has been postponed from 21 September 2023. - Mowbray and Rondebosch
The water supply main to these areas will be shut-off from 09:00 until 19:00 on Thursday, 5 October 2023, to enable the maintenance team to install a 300mm diameter valve on the main water supply pipeline and repair fire hydrants.
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: - 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.
- 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.
- Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.
- 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: - Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
- Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
End
|
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
