City requests consumers to reduce water usage for the next 48 hours

25 June 2023

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is currently attending to emergency repairs to its bulk water supply network.

The work involves repairs on the bulk water supply from the Blackheath side which requires the rerouting of water supply within the bulk water network. The bulk water supply is also currently constrained due to essential upgrades currently happening at the Faure Water Treatment Plant, limiting the overall daily water production volume.

Lower water pressures may be expected especially in the high-lying parts of the city.

The Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities as well as residents across Cape Town are urgently requested to reduce their water usage while the work is being done. This will reduce the strain on the water supply.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused, but it is imperative that it maintains its water supply for the benefit of its consumers.

What residents need to know about emergency water supply disruptions:

Careful consideration is given to the planning of this work given the extremely limited timeframe available to ensure it is being done in a manner 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 – open an outside tap and try to collect the water for alternate use.
The water may also 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.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office