Emergency repairs under way on new pipe burst along Voëlvlei bulk water pipeline

24 November 2023

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is attending to another pipe-burst on the Voëlvlei bulk water pipeline

This morning, systems detected a pipe-burst on the Voëlvlei bulk water pipeline, which has resulted in a temporary shutdown of the Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant. This is a necessary measure in order to prevent major water loss. Maintenance teams are on site to assess the damage and to immediately begin repairs to restore water supply. At present, early indications show that water supply is likely to be restored by midday, on Sunday, 26 November 2023.

Due to their proximity to Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant, areas directly impacted are Hermon, Wellington and Philadelphia, as well as industrial and agricultural customers along the Voëlvlei Pipeline.

The authorities at Drakenstein Municipality have been notified and advised to communicate the impact on their consumers.

Residents living in Philadelphia, Klipheuwel, Durbanville, Fisantekraal, Uitzicht, Pinehurst and Sonstraalhoogte are advised that low water pressure may be experienced, and are urged to reduce water usage while repairs are under way.

This will assist in sustaining available water supply throughout the network and mitigate against the risk of further disruptions.

The City regrets any inconvenience caused due to this critical infrastructure repair.

What consumers need to know about larger-scale water supply disruptions:

All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to the public.
Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means it can take longer.
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.

Actions residents should take during water supply disruptions:

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

burst pipes maintenance