City advises of delay in emergency repairs under way at the Blackheath water pipeline
14 July 2022
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate shut down the Blackheath water treatment plant on Tuesday, 11 July 2022 to do emergency repairs to its 1500mm diameter water inlet pipeline that carries water from the dam to the plant. It was initially anticipated that the work would be completed by today, Thursday, 14 July 2022 at 18:00. However, delays were encountered when the affected section of the bulk water main was inspected and it was determined that replacing it instead of doing welding repairs would be required.Residents in the Brackenfell, Kuils River, Mowbray, Claremont, Harfield Village, Kenilworth, Newlands, Rondebosch and Rosebank are kindly requested to considerably reduce their water consumption during the repair period. This will assist in sustaining the water supply even though it will be at lower than usual pressure. This is due to the unavoidable declining levels of the supply storage reservoirs for these areas.
The water supply pipeline to the Blackheath water treatment plant has developed a serious leak in the Stellenbosch area and is currently being repaired by the Water and Sanitation maintenance team. The repairs involves replacing a section of the 1500mm diameter pipe as repairs by welding would not be possible.
The Water and Sanitation Directorate is exploring various options to reroute water supply as far as is reasonably possible to the areas in the network which are impacted.
During the temporary water supply changeovers, a possible slight discolouration may be experienced for a brief period, but the water remains safe to drink.
The impact on the water supply resulting from the delay is now extended by approximately 12 hours, meaning that the work will be completed at approximately 06:00 on Friday, 15 July 2022.
The City regrets any inconvenience caused, however it is imperative that it maintains its water supply infrastructure for the benefit of its consumers.
‘We kindly advise residents to reduce their water consumption during this period to eliminate undue strain on the water supply while the repairs are in progress. It is a most unfortunate situation that the leaking water inlet to the Blackheath water treatment plant is hampering the water supply into the distribution network, but our maintenance team is applying their skills to have it functional and reduce the disruption in the shortest possible timeframe,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation
Caption: Emergency work is under way to replace a section of a water inlet pipeline that carries water from the dam to the Blackheath water treatment plant.
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office