Embracing Sustainability: City Water and Sanitation Directorate Announces Scheduled Maintenance

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is conducting scheduled maintenance from 5th to 7th March, 2024, to improve sustainable infrastructure. This will lead to interruptions in the water supply, and residents should prepare for the temporary situation. Zero-pressure tests, conditional assessments, and additional maintenance work will be carried out in the affected areas to ensure efficient and reliable water supply infrastructure in the future. The City urges residents to store enough water and follow @CityofCTAlerts for updates.

Embracing Sustainability: City Water and Sanitation Directorate Announces Scheduled Maintenance

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has planned a maintenance operation from 5th to 7th March, 2024, for sustainable infrastructure. The operation will lead to interruptions in the water supply, and residents are urged to prepare adequately for this temporary situation. The areas affected will undergo zero-pressure tests (ZPT), conditional assessments, and additional maintenance work.

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is driving the agenda for a sustainable infrastructure. Between the 5th and 7th of March, 2024, they have planned a maintenance operation. The Directorate, which values its residents, deeply regrets any inconvenience this might cause. However, they want to assure the public that this necessary work on the water supply infrastructure is aimed at enhancing service delivery to its customers.

The scheduled operation in the specified regions will unavoidably lead to interruptions in the water supply. Nevertheless, residents are urged to make adequate preparations for this temporary situation.

Maintenance Schedule and Impacted Areas

The operation kicks off on Tuesday, the 5th of March 2024, from 10:00 to 16:00. The target areas for this day are Bellville South, Beroma, Glenhaven, Labiance, and Kasselsvlei, where zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be conducted. The following day, Wednesday, the 6th of March 2024, from 09:00 to 16:00, similar tests will be carried out in Somerset Ridge, Westridge in Somerset West, and Audas Estate in Bizweni (Somerset West). The testing process will then repeat in these same areas on Thursday, the 7th of March 2024, from 10:00 until 16:00.

The implementation of ZPT and step-testing plays a critical role in the installation process of pressure management technology. These tests are conducted to identify any uncharted inflows. They further ensure the successful integration of smart pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) into the water supply network. The test results can differ; some residents might experience a drop in water pressure, while others may face a brief interruption in their water supply.

The Importance of Conditional Assessments and Additional Maintenance Work

The conditional assessments aim to verify the optimal functionality of the pressure-reducing valves within the water supply network. By doing so, they contribute to the preservation of the pipeline’s lifespan and minimize water wastage. The assessments achieve this by managing pressures at the set levels to reduce pipe bursts. The City’s Water Demand Management Strategy hugely depends on this crucial work.

In addition to the tests, certain areas will experience water supply disruptions due to other maintenance tasks such as pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements. For instance, on Wednesday, 6 March 2024, from 09:00 to 17:00, new control valves will be installed in the water supply network in Plumstead. This operation will necessitate shutting off the water supply in St Joans, Burnham, and Doordrift Roads and their surrounding areas to guarantee safety.

Precautions and Recommendations for Residents

Despite causing temporary inconvenience, these series of planned water supply disruptions are thoroughly strategized for minimal interruption. All areas undergoing water and sanitation upgrades are officially construction sites and are consequently restricted to the public. Sometimes, the complexity of maintenance work might surpass initial estimates, leading to extended operation times. Once the supply is reinstated, residents might observe a transient discoloration or cloudiness in their water due to trapped air in the pipes. Gradually, the water’s appearance will revert to normal.

The City urges its residents to brace for these planned interruptions in the water supply. Residents are advised to have enough water stored in clean, sealed containers for use during this period. Additionally, residents should ensure their taps are closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored. For updates on the maintenance work and the location of tankers where applicable, residents should follow @CityofCTAlerts.

The Greater Picture: Proactive Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrade

The scheduled maintenance forms part of the Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme. This initiative aims to guarantee the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted water. Despite the temporary inconvenience, this strategic move is set to considerably improve the efficiency and reliability of the city’s water supply infrastructure.

1. What is the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate conducting?

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is conducting scheduled maintenance from 5th to 7th March, 2024, to improve sustainable infrastructure.

2. What will be the impact of the maintenance operation?

The operation will lead to interruptions in the water supply, and residents are urged to prepare adequately for this temporary situation. The areas affected will undergo zero-pressure tests (ZPT), conditional assessments, and additional maintenance work.

3. When and where will the maintenance operation take place?

The operation kicks off on Tuesday, the 5th of March 2024, from 10:00 to 16:00. The target areas for this day are Bellville South, Beroma, Glenhaven, Labiance, and Kasselsvlei, where zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be conducted.

4. What is the importance of conditional assessments and additional maintenance work?

The conditional assessments aim to verify the optimal functionality of the pressure-reducing valves within the water supply network. In addition to the tests, certain areas will experience water supply disruptions due to other maintenance tasks such as pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements.

5. What precautions and recommendations should residents take during the maintenance operation?

Residents are advised to have enough water stored in clean, sealed containers for use during this period. Additionally, residents should ensure their taps are closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

6. What is the greater picture of the maintenance operation?

The scheduled maintenance forms part of the Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme. This strategic move is set to considerably improve the efficiency and reliability of the city’s water supply infrastructure.