Update on planned water supply disruptions for the week ahead- from 25 March
24 March 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, but it must maintain its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers. Residents in the affected areas below are encouraged to take note of the work that will be taking place in their areas.
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 the public.
• Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, resulting in it taking 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 that will last for your use during this period.
• Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
Maintenance Work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements
• Parts of Durbanville, Fisantekraal, Klipheuwel, Wellington and Hermon, as well as private consumers along the Voëlvlei pipeline
The Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant will be shut down from 00:00 on Saturday, 25 March 2023 until Sunday, 26 March 2023 at 24:00 to accommodate repairs on the Voëlvlei pipeline. The Drakenstein Municipality has been informed to make the necessary arrangements. Residents in parts of Durbanville, Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel may experience lower water pressure. They also need to reduce their water consumption during the repair period to ensure that the water supply is sustained throughout the water supply network.
• Somerset West – High-lying areas
The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing upgrades at its Smuts Pump Station in Somerset West which will require that the pump station be shut off from 09:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 28 March 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely do the upgrade as part of the City’s maintenance programme. No water supply will be disrupted as the supply reservoirs will be topped up in advance. Residents in the areas following areas are however requested to reduce their water consumption during this period - Brisa, Pear Marina, Goede Hoop, Monte Serino, Spanish Farm, Silverboom Kloof, La Concorde and Helderberg Estate.
• Klein Constantia
The main water supply to Klein Constantia, part of Firgrove and parts of Tokai between Spaanschemat Road and the M3 will be shut off on Tuesday, 28 March 2023, from 15:00 overnight until 05:00 on Wednesday 29 March 2023. This will enable the safe replacement of two 350mm diameter control valves along Croft Road between Klein Constantia Road and Pagasvlei Road as well as a few faulty hydrants. Water tankers will be made available to provide water to residents for domestic consumption.
• Various areas in South Peninsula
Starting from Tuesday 28 March 2023 until Friday 30 June 2023, identified faulty fire hydrants will either be repaired or replaced. This will result in the intermittent disruption of the water supply. Notifications will be circulated to the Sub-councils in advance.
• Blackheath Industrial, Dennemere, Gaylee, Austinville and Greenfields
The water supply to these areas will be shut off from 21:00 on Friday 31 March 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Saturday, 1 April 2023. This will enable the safe replacement of two 200mm diameter water meters. This will result in the disruption of the water supply to these areas.
This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water.
Zero-Pressure Tests, Step Tests and Conditional Assessments
• Brooklyn, Rugby, Tijgerhof and Sanddrift.
Conditional tests will be done on the main water supply to these areas. This will result in intermittent disruptions of the water supply to these areas on Tuesday, 28 March 2023, from 19:00 until 00:00.
• Die Wingerd, Greenway Rise, Stuart’s Hill, Martinville - Bizweni area
Zero pressure tests will be conducted on the main water supply to the Bizweni area. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply to this area on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 30 March 2023.
• Big Bay, Dune Ridge, Blouberg Hills Estate, Sandown Estate, Blouberg Beach and Melkbosstrand.
Conditional tests will be done on the main water supply to these areas. This will result in intermittent disruptions of the water supply to these areas on Wednesday, 29 March 2023, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 30 March 2023.
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 reduction 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.
The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
