Update on planned water supply maintenance for 19 - 26 May
19 May 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.
Maintenance work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements
- Bantry Bay and Fresnaye
The main water supply to these areas needs to be shut off urgently from 21:30 on Friday, 19 May 2023 overnight until 08:00 on Saturday, 20 May 2023 to enable the maintenance team to install a control valve on one of the two pipelines leading off the main pipeline. This will assist them in determining which of the two pipelines is severely leaking. This will result in the disruption of the water supply to these areas. A water tanker will be available to provide water for domestic consumption where required. - Mowbray, Rosebank, Rondebosch, Newlands, Claremont, Kenilworth and Wynberg
The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting down its Newlands Reservoir for maintenance from Monday, 22 May 2023 until Sunday, 4 June 2023. Residents in these areas may experience lower than usual water pressure during this period.
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.
Zero-pressure tests, step tests and conditional assessments
- Mowbray, Salt River and Woodstock
Zero-pressure tests will be conducted on the main water supply to these areas on three consecutive evenings i.e. from 21:00 on Tuesday, 23 May 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 24 May 2023, then from 21:00 on Wednesday, 24 May 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 25 May 2023 and finally from 21:00 on Thursday, 25 May 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 26 May 2023. This work will result in the intermittent disruption of the water supply or no water to these areas.
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.
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 for use during this period.
- Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
