Planned water supply maintenance: 29 January - 1 February

26 January 2024

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruptions.

Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network in the following areas:

Monday, 29 January 2024 from 10:00 until 15:00: Oakdale, Blommendal, Blomtuin, Eikenbosch and Chrismar.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024 from 10:00 until 15:00: Dennemere, Blackheath residential area, Blackheath Industrial Area, Austinville, Happy Valley, Heath Street Industrial Area, Greenfields, The Conifers, Gaylee and Wimbledon Estate.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024 from 09:00 until 16:00: Somerset Ridge, Westridge and Audas Estate in Bizweni (Somerset West)

Wednesday, 31 January 2024 from 09:00 until 16:00: Cherrywood Gardens, Roundhay, Lionviham, Kalamunda and Audas Estate in Bizweni (Somerset West)

Thursday, 1 February 2024 from 10:00 until 16:00: Penzance Estate, Berg-en-Dal, Hangberg, Hout Bay Heights, Hout Bay Harbour and Boatyard and Harbour Road

Pressure management installations and operations

Zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during this overnight testing period. It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

Conditional testing on the other hand ensures that the pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are operating effectively and managing the pressures at the determined settings to preserve the lifespan of the pipeline and reduce the occurrence of water wastage resulting from pipe bursts. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but will be minimised as far as possible.

This work forms part of the City's Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.

Maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements will result in water supply disruption to these areas:

Strand
The main water supply to this area bounded by Main Road, Beach Road, De Ruyter Street and Algoa Street will be shut off from 10:00 until 17:00 on Tuesday, 30 January 2024 to enable the maintenance team to safely do a water meter installation. This will result in the disruption of the water supply.

Oakdale, Blommendal, Blomtuin, Eikenbosch and Chrismar
The water supply to these areas will be shut off intermittently from 10:00 until 15:00 on Wednesday, 31 January 2024. This will enable the maintenance team to install a valve on the water supply network in the area.

Camps Bay
A test shut-off will be done on the 400mm diameter pipeline between Kloofnek Water Treatment Plant and the Camps Bay Reservoir from 09:00 until 17:00 on Thursday, 1 February 2024. This will enable the maintenance team to assess in preparation for the repairs of the water leak on the Pipe Track. The reservoir level may drop resulting in either low water pressure or no water in parts of Camps Bay.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate's proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

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

Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time 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 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.

How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:

Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

End

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office

Water disruption