City Water Supply Network Undergoes Maintenance: Here’s What You Need to Know

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is conducting scheduled maintenance on the water supply network from July 7th to the 14th to ensure sustainable water provision and reduce water wastage. Residents in affected areas should store enough water in clean sealed containers and keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the supply is restored. The maintenance work includes zero-pressure tests, pipe and valve installations, and the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir. The City’s efforts to upgrade the water supply network are critical in guaranteeing its health and longevity.

City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced a scheduled maintenance regimen for the city’s water supply network from the 7th to the 14th of July. This exercise forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy and aims to ensure sustainable water provision and reduce water wastage. Several areas will experience changes in their water supply, requiring residents to make adequate preparations. Residents should store enough water in clean sealed containers and keep taps closed to prevent any water loss or damage when the water supply is restored.

Scheduled Maintenance Overview

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced a scheduled maintenance regimen for the city’s water supply network from the 7th to the 14th of July. This exercise, far from being a mere disruption of the water supply, forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. The strategy is designed to ensure sustainable water provision and reduce water wastage in the long term.

Several areas will experience changes in their water supply during this maintenance period, requiring residents to make adequate preparations. The primary goal of these operations is to optimize the water supply network, ensuring its longevity and efficiency in service delivery.

This maintenance work will involve Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments on the water supply network. The operations scheduled for the 11th of July will impact areas such as Hout Bay, Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial, and Okavango Park.

Impact on Different Areas and Residents Preparation

The ZPT and step-testing, crucial to the installation process for pressure management technology, aim to detect and take into account any unmapped inflows before installing smart pressure-reducing valves (PRVs). Residents may encounter disruptions in their water supply during this testing period. However, the City’s team is dedicated to managing any resulting pressure fluctuations to the best of its ability.

Despite the uncertainty of these disruptions, the long-term rewards to the water infrastructure make this process vital. The inconvenience is a small price to pay for a well-maintained and efficient water supply network.

In tandem with these tests, other maintenance work, including pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements, will take place across Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, University of Cape Town, Kenilworth, and Wynberg. The annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir will also commence on the 7th of July and conclude on the 14th of July, possibly leading to lower than usual water pressure in these areas.

Specific Maintenance Work and Guidelines for Residents

Maintenance work in Montague Gardens will occur on the 7th of July, involving the repair of the 500mm diameter control valve on the pipeline. As a result, the water supply will be disrupted from 06:00 until 18:00. In anticipation of this, residents have been advised to store water in clean sealed containers beforehand.

Site C in Khayelitsha will also be affected on the 9th of July, with the relocation of the pressure reducing valve (PRV) on the main water supply, leading to water supply disruption from 10:00 until 17:00. To accommodate residents during this period, water tankers will be provided for domestic use.

Ocean View will experience a disruption in water supply from 09:00 until 18:00 on the 9th and 10th of July. This is to ensure the safe connection of the newly installed water pipelines along Sirius Way and Andromeda Way to the existing water reticulation system. A water tanker will be stationed outside the school on Hydra Avenue to provide water for domestic use where necessary.

On the 10th of July, a portion of Claremont will see the installation of two new connections and two control valves on the main water supply in Main Road. This operation may result in the absence of water or low water pressure from 09:00 until 18:00. Residents in the area bounded by San Souci Street, the railway line, Stellenberg Avenue, and Cavendish Street in Claremont are advised to store water in clean sealed containers ahead of time.

City’s Efforts to Ensure Efficient Water Supply

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate’s planned maintenance and upgrade program is a proactive initiative to tackle the issue of unaccounted for water. Despite the slight inconvenience caused, the long-term benefits to the water infrastructure justify these efforts. Periodic disruptions, while inconvenient, are critical in guaranteeing the health and longevity of a city’s water supply.

To prepare for the large-scale planned water supply disruptions, residents should follow certain guidelines. It is advised to store enough water in clean sealed containers in advance and keep taps closed to prevent any water loss or damage when the water supply is restored. For updates on the maintenance work and the location of water tankers, residents can follow @CityofCTAlerts, the City of Cape Town X account.

The success of this planned maintenance heavily relies on public understanding and cooperation. The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is ever-dedicated to serving the people and welcomes suggestions and feedback from the public. The patience and understanding shown during this crucial maintenance period are highly appreciated. The City remains committed to delivering the highest standard of water supply for its residents.

1. What is the purpose of the scheduled maintenance on the water supply network in Cape Town?

The purpose of the scheduled maintenance is to ensure sustainable water provision and reduce water wastage in the long term. The maintenance work includes zero-pressure tests, pipe and valve installations, and the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir.

2. When will the maintenance take place?

The maintenance will take place from July 7th to the 14th.

3. Which areas in Cape Town will be affected by the maintenance work?

Several areas in Cape Town will be affected, including Hout Bay, Vredekloof, Welgelee, Arauna, Morgenster, St Kilda, Marlborough Park, Brackenfell Industrial, Okavango Park, Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, University of Cape Town, Kenilworth, and Wynberg.

4. What should residents do to prepare for the water supply disruptions?

Residents should store enough water in clean sealed containers and keep taps closed to prevent any water loss or damage when the water supply is restored. They should also follow updates on the maintenance work and the location of water tankers on @CityofCTAlerts, the City of Cape Town X account.

5. Will there be any water tankers provided during the maintenance period?

Yes, water tankers will be provided in some areas during the maintenance period to accommodate residents during water supply disruptions.

6. What is the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy?

The City’s Water Demand Management Strategy aims to ensure sustainable water provision and reduce water wastage in the long term. It is designed to optimize the water supply network, ensuring its longevity and efficiency in service delivery.