Urgent maintenance on Steenbras pipeline done and dusted
06 May 2021
The City’s Water and Sanitation teams worked round the clock in a 48-hour operation to complete urgent repairs to a leak on the 840mm water pipeline from Steenbras Dam, between Somerset West and the Bosmanskop area, this past weekend.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Department would like to thank residents of the Helderberg area for their patience while the urgent maintenance work was underway. Work commenced on Friday, 30 April 2021 at 18:00 and continued until completion on Sunday, 2 May 2021 at 18:00.
The work required a temporary shutdown of the pipeline, which caused reduced water pressure and intermittent water supply to Smuts, Wingerd, Dennehoek, Louis Botha, Lynns View, Helderspruit, Bakkers and surrounding areas.
In order to minimise the impact of the shutdown on residents, water supply was diverted from the Nomzamo connection on the same pipeline and the Helderberg Water Treatment Plant to support the reservoirs in these affected areas. Residents located in higher lying areas of Somerset West and the Helderberg experienced reduced water pressure due to this diversion.
‘I thank the residents for their patience over the weekend while this critical work was carried out. The City regrets any inconvenience associated with the reduced water pressure, but it is important that such maintenance is attended to timeously, to ensure sustained stability of the water supply.
‘A big thank you to our Water & Sanitation teams as well, for pushing through the 48 hour period and completing this major operation in the shortest time possible. Their skill and dedication are commendable, and greatly appreciated.
‘The City remains committed to minimising water losses due to leaks, while ensuring a stable water supply. Cape Town’s water loss rate remains the lowest in the country, and we will continue to invest in our infrastructure to further improve wherever possible, as we strive to fulfil the commitments in the Water Strategy and become a water sensitive city by 2040. A water sensitive city optimises and integrates the management of water resources to improve resilience, competitiveness, and liveability for the prosperity of its people,’ said Alderman Xanthea Limberg, Mayoral Committee Member for Waste and Water.
End Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
