Planned water supply maintenance from 1 to 14 July
27 June 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, 2 July 2024, from 09:00 until 16:00: Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial and Okavango Park.
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.
Additional zone management investigations will be carried out to ensure that the zone management infrastructure is operating effectively and efficiently. 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
Residents need to please store enough water as a precautionary measure as this work will result in water supply disruption to these areas:
Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, UCT, Kenilworth and Wynberg
The Water and Sanitation Directorate will start the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir on Monday, 1 July 2024, by gradually reducing the level of the reservoir. The reservoir will then be isolated from the bulk water supply network on Sunday, 7 July 2024, and cleaning will commence from Monday, 8 July 2024, until Sunday, 14 July 2024. Residents in these areas may experience lower than usual water pressure during this period.
Part of Scottsdene
Control valves will be installed on the main water supply to Neville Crescent, Didi Street and Vera Street in Scottsdene. This is in preparation for the pipe replacement project in the area. It will result in the disruption of the water supply from 10:00 until 17:00 on Monday, 1 July 2024. Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean sealed containers in advance.
Site C – Khayelitsha
A meter and pressure reducing valve (PRV) installation will be done on the main water supply to the Site C area in Khayelitsha. This will result in the disruption of the water supply from 10:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 2 July 2024. Residents are kindly requested to store water in clean sealed containers in advance. Water tankers will be made available to provide water for domestic use 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.
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.
End
Published by:
Media Office, City of Cape Town
