Updated planned water supply maintenance for 9 to 13 October
07 October 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
1. Plumstead and Wynberg
Conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in these areas from Monday, 9 October 2023 until Thursday, 30 November 2023. This will result in the possibility of lower than usual pressure experienced for up to 1,5 hours during the day in some parts as the assessments progress.
2.Die Wingerd, Greenway Rise, Stuart’s Hill, Martinville
(Bizweni - Somerset West)
Zero-pressure testing will be done on the water supply network in these areas from 21:00 on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.
3. Table View, Flamingo Vlei and Bloubergstrand
Zero-pressure testing will be done on the water supply network in these areas from 21:00 on Wednesday, 11 October 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 12 October 2023.
4. Sunningdale and Bloubergstrand
Zero-pressure testing will be done on the water supply network in these areas from 21:00 on Thursday, 12 October 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 13 October 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-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:
1. Steenbras Water Treatment Plant shutdown
The Steenbras Water Treatment Plant will be shut down from 08:00 until 20:00 on Monday, 9 October 2023.
This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a valve on the outlet pipeline of the plant.
Water supply from elsewhere in the bulk water supply network will be routed to the Steenbras Water Treatment Plant supply areas.
2. Site B – Nonkqubela area (Khayelitsha)
The water supply to this area will be shut-off from 08:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 10 October 2023.
This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a 450mm diameter valve on the main water supply pipeline. Water tankers will be providing water for domestic consumption where required. This work had started on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, but due to complications, had to be postponed to 10 October 2023.
3. Molteno Reservoir shutdown
The reservoir will be shut down for maintenance from Tuesday, 10 October 2023 until Tuesday, 31 October 2023. Water supply from elsewhere in the bulk water supply network will be routed to the Molteno Reservoir supply areas.
4.Mowbray and Rondebosch including the Business Park, Hotel and Golf Course on the Pinelands side of the N2
The water supply main to these areas will be shut-off from 09:00 until 19:00 on Wednesday, 11 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, previously scheduled for Thursday, 5 October 2023, required additional tests to be done to determine the full extent of the shut-off.
5. Scarborough
The water supply to this area will be shut-off from 08:00 until 16:00 on Thursday, 12 October 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely complete construction work on the main water supply pipeline. The work involves isolating the old pipelines along Seagull, Camel Rock, Egret and Beach Roads and connecting the newly installed pipelines to the water supply network.
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:
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 Twitter account.
How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:
5. Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during
this period.
6. 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
