Use less water as national maintenance work gets under way

05 August 2026

Residents are urged to use less water from Wednesday, 12 August to Monday, 24 August 2026. This is due to mandatory inspection and maintenance work by the National Department of Water and Sanitation. The work, which is scheduled every five years, will be conducted on the Theewaterskloof Dam to Riviersonderend (RSE) Berg River Tunnel. The maintenance on nationally managed infrastructure is essential to ensure system reliability in the long-term.

The City does not anticipate any water supply disruption during the upcoming DWS maintenance work, although residents will need to reduce water use. Limited supply will be available throughout the metropole, while one of the City's primary supply sources is temporarily unavailable.

About the RSE tunnel work

The RSE Tunnel conveys water from the Theewaterskloof Dam to the Berg River system and is an important component of the Western Cape Water Supply System, with the City as one of its primary users.

Maintenance requires sections of the tunnel to be drained to allow engineers to inspect and maintain the infrastructure safely.

This is part of DWS's five-year infrastructure maintenance programme and will reduce available water supplied through the tunnel.

Team Cape Town called to work together to share limited supply

The RSE Tunnel is a critical component of the City’s system and normally contributes approximately 40% to 50% of Cape Town’s water supply.

With this major supply source being temporarily unavailable, water resources during the maintenance period need to be managed very closely, to ensure that enough water remains available to continue supplying Cape Town residents.

The City plans to make operational adjustments for efficiencies during this period. Currently, the RSE tunnel supplies water to two of the City's facilities: Blackheath and Faure Water Treatment Plants (WTPs).

During the DWS shutdown, the City's Water and Sanitation Directorate will close-off supply to Faure WTP, to maximise water feed at Blackheath WTP, where it will be treated to drinking water quality.

The City has implemented operational measures to manage the impact on Cape Town's water supply, but we are really dependent on residents to be cognisant of the situation and the need for responsible water use during the 13-day period.

'While this important work is under way, we know that resources will be in short supply. Every litre saved will help ensure that there is sufficient water for everyone,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office