Ensuring a Sustainable Water Supply: The City’s Strategic Approach to Infrastructure Maintenance and Upgrades

Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is implementing a Water Demand Management Strategy to ensure a sustainable and secure water supply for its growing population. The program includes various tests and evaluations to optimize water supply networks, as well as pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements. Although some residents may experience temporary water disruptions during these works, the City has carefully considered the timing of its maintenance to minimize inconvenience. The City’s commitment to addressing unaccounted water issues and preserving resources for the future reflects its collaborative approach with its residents.

What is Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy?

Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy aims at optimizing water supply networks through a series of tests and evaluations. These include zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments that help identify any unmapped inflows before installing smart pressure-reducing valves. The City’s maintenance team will also perform pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements across several areas. During these works, some residents may experience low water pressure or temporary water disruptions.

A Comprehensive Water Demand Management Strategy

As urban populations continue to expand, cities worldwide face the challenge of providing a sustainable and secure water supply to their residents. Cape Town is one such city that is addressing this issue proactively through the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme. Scheduled from 17 to 20 October 2023, this well-coordinated project aims to benefit customers and ensure the ongoing continuity of water supply.

The City’s Water Demand Management Strategy includes several tests and evaluations to optimize water supply networks. Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be conducted in various areas, such as Plumstead and Wynberg, from 9 October 2023 until 30 November 2023. These tests help to identify any unmapped inflows that need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves. During this process, some residents may experience low water pressure or temporary water disruptions.

Maintenance Work and Installations

In addition to assessments, the City’s maintenance team will carry out pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements in several areas. For example, Bantry Bay and Fresnaye will undergo water supply interruptions from 09:00 until 17:00 on 18 October 2023, allowing the team to perform a tie-in on the main water supply pipeline in De Wet Road. Likewise, residents in the Sir Lowry’s Pass area of Somerset West will experience water supply disruptions from 21:00 on 17 October 2023 until 04:00 on 18 October 2023, as the team installs a water meter on the supply main to the area.

Additional maintenance work includes the installation of a new section of the water supply pipeline in the Extension 12, Kanonkop, Sherwood Park, and Beacon Hill areas of Atlantis on 19 October 2023. As a result, water supply will be shut off from 08:00 until 18:00. To accommodate residents during this period, water tankers will be available for domestic consumption.

Hout Bay residents can expect intermittent water supply disruptions from 08:00 until 16:00 on weekdays, starting on 18 October 2023 until 3 November 2023. This pause in service enables valve replacements and fire hydrant upgrades in the area. Advance notices with specific dates will be circulated to affected roads.

Furthermore, Lansdowne will experience water supply interruptions from 09:00 until 18:00 on 18 and 19 October 2023. This will allow the maintenance team to install valves in the local water supply network in preparation for a pipe replacement project.

Addressing Public Concerns and Communication

Given the scale of these planned water supply disruptions, residents may have concerns about the process. The City has carefully considered the timing of this work to minimize inconvenience. Furthermore, all water and sanitation repair and upgrade sites are considered construction sites and are, therefore, off-limits to the public.

It is important to note that maintenance work may sometimes be more complex than anticipated, potentially causing delays. After the supply is restored, trapped air in the pipes may cause the water to appear discolored or milky. If left to stand in a glass, the water will return to its normal, clear appearance.

The City of Cape Town’s Twitter account, @CityofCTAlerts, will provide updates on maintenance work and the location of water tankers, where applicable. To prepare for planned water supply disruptions, residents are advised to store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance and keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the supply is restored.

A Commitment to a Sustainable Water Supply

The City’s proactive approach to water supply infrastructure maintenance and upgrades demonstrates a commitment to addressing unaccounted water issues and preserving resources for the future. By working together, the City and its residents can ensure a sustainable water supply for generations to come.

1. What is Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy?

Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy aims at optimizing water supply networks through a series of tests and evaluations. These include zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments that help identify any unmapped inflows before installing smart pressure-reducing valves. The City’s maintenance team will also perform pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements across several areas. During these works, some residents may experience low water pressure or temporary water disruptions.

2. What is the purpose of the infrastructure maintenance and upgrade program in Cape Town?

The purpose of the infrastructure maintenance and upgrade program in Cape Town is to ensure a sustainable and secure water supply for the city’s growing population.

3. What tests and evaluations are included in the Water Demand Management Strategy?

The Water Demand Management Strategy includes zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments that help identify any unmapped inflows before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.

4. Which areas will undergo assessments and testing?

Various areas, such as Plumstead and Wynberg, will undergo zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments from 9 October 2023 until 30 November 2023.

5. What maintenance work will be carried out in the Bantry Bay and Fresnaye areas?

Residents in the Bantry Bay and Fresnaye areas will experience water supply interruptions from 09:00 until 17:00 on 18 October 2023, allowing the team to perform a tie-in on the main water supply pipeline in De Wet Road.

6. What should residents do to prepare for planned water supply disruptions?

Residents are advised to store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance and keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the supply is restored.

7. How will residents receive updates on maintenance work and the location of water tankers?

Residents can follow the City of Cape Town’s Twitter account, @CityofCTAlerts, to receive updates on maintenance work and the location of water tankers, where applicable.

8. What is the City’s commitment to addressing unaccounted water issues and preserving resources for the future?

The City’s commitment to addressing unaccounted water issues and preserving resources for the future demonstrates a proactive approach to water supply infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, ensuring a sustainable water supply for generations to come.