Planned water supply maintenance is essential for improving the water supply infrastructure and customer experience. Tests and evaluations, as well as maintenance work, are conducted to proactively maintain and upgrade infrastructure, which secures future water supply continuity. While some pressure fluctuations and temporary water supply interruptions may occur, every effort will be made to keep them to a minimum. Residents impacted by these operations are advised to take note of the information and make the necessary arrangements.
What is the purpose of planned water supply maintenance?
Planned water supply maintenance is conducted to improve the water supply infrastructure and customer experience. It includes tests and evaluations such as zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments. Maintenance work is also carried out, including installing, repairing, and replacing pipes and valves. The goal is to proactively maintain and upgrade infrastructure to secure future water supply continuity. Although some pressure fluctuations may be experienced during this period, every effort will be made to keep these occurrences to a minimum.
A series of scheduled maintenance operations will be conducted by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate between the dates of February 19th and 23rd, 2024. The operations will affect several regions in terms of water supply. While these operations may cause some inconvenience, they are essential for improving the water supply infrastructure and, consequently, the customer experience. It is thus advised that residents of the impacted locations take note of this information and make the necessary arrangements.
Maintenance Operations and Affected Areas
In a systematic attempt to supervise and maintain the water supply network, comprehensive tests and evaluations will be executed over a few days. These will include zero-pressure tests (ZPTs) and conditional assessments. On Tuesday, February 20th, operations will commence at 10:00, lasting until 16:00, with Bellville South, Beroma, Glenhaven, Labiance, and Kasselsvlei areas being impacted. The following day, the operations will shift focus to Hout Bay Harbour, Hout Bay Heights, Hangberg, Bayview, and Hout Bay Central between 10:00 and 17:00. Lastly, on Friday, February 23rd, the Westlake Industrial area will be affected from 10:00 to 16:00.
The tests mentioned above are critical for the installation of pressure management technology, as they help reveal unidentified inflows that may need to be considered during the installation of intelligent pressure-reducing valves. During this operational period, some residents may experience reduced water pressure or temporary water supply interruptions. It is, however, impossible to forecast the exact streets or areas that will be affected by these disruptions.
Purpose and Impact of the Tests
These conditional tests are designed to ensure that the pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are functioning at their best. This results in a longer pipeline lifespan and fewer pipe bursts, leading to less water wastage. Although some pressure fluctuations may be experienced during this period, every effort will be made to keep these occurrences to a minimum.
The implementation of these operations is fundamental to the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Effective pressure management not only prevents pipe bursts but also plays a significant role in reducing water wastage.
Scheduled Maintenance Work and Affected Areas
Alongside these tests, maintenance work will also be carried out, which will include installing, repairing, and replacing pipes and valves. The areas to be affected and the specifics of the operations are as follows:
On Tuesday, February 20th, three control valves on the water supply network will be replaced in parts of Hout Bay (Baviaanskloof and surrounding areas) between 09:00 and 17:00. The water supply will be temporarily shut down to ensure safe working conditions. Residents are encouraged to store sufficient water for household use.
At the same time, maintenance will be conducted on the Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plant, which will impact Bloekoembos, Wallacedene, Sandringham, Belmont Park, Klein Begin, Peerless Park, and Eikendal. Residents are requested to limit their water consumption from 07:00 until 15:00.
On Thursday, February 22nd, the maintenance crew will replace a 400mm diameter meter insert on the Brackenfell pipeline from 10:00 until 15:00 and a 150mm diameter control valve on the water supply main to Firgrove from 09:00 until 16:00. The water supply will be shut down in Firgrove during this period, and residents are advised to store enough water for household use.
The Importance of the Undertaking
This significant undertaking is a part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s strategy to proactively maintain and upgrade infrastructure, thereby securing the future continuity of the water supply. The City deeply regrets any inconvenience that these operations may cause.
Residents should note that larger-scale planned water supply disruptions like these are executed at the least disruptive times possible. All sites where these repairs and upgrades are performed will be out of bounds to the public for safety reasons. Additionally, the complex nature of this work may mean that the duration could be longer than anticipated. After the disruption, the water may appear discoloured or milky, but this will clear up if left to stand in a glass. For real-time updates on the maintenance work and the location of emergency water tankers, residents are encouraged to follow @CityofCTAlerts.
Residents are recommended to prepare for these planned water supply disruptions by storing enough water in clean, sealed containers and keeping their taps closed. By doing so, they can lessen the impact of these essential infrastructure maintenance works.
1. What is planned water supply maintenance?
Planned water supply maintenance is a series of tests, evaluations, and maintenance work conducted to proactively maintain and upgrade infrastructure, including installing, repairing, and replacing pipes and valves to improve the water supply infrastructure and customer experience.
2. Why is planned water supply maintenance important?
Planned water supply maintenance is essential for securing future water supply continuity, preventing pipe bursts, reducing water wastage, and improving the customer experience.
3. What areas will be affected by the planned water supply maintenance?
Several regions will be impacted by the planned water supply maintenance, including Bellville South, Beroma, Glenhaven, Labiance, Kasselsvlei, Hout Bay Harbour, Hout Bay Heights, Hangberg, Bayview, Hout Bay Central, and Westlake Industrial.
4. What are the specific maintenance operations that will be conducted?
The maintenance operations will include zero-pressure tests, conditional assessments, replacing control valves, and repairing and replacing pipes and valves.
5. How can residents prepare for the planned water supply maintenance?
Residents can prepare for the planned water supply maintenance by storing enough water in clean, sealed containers and keeping their taps closed. They are also encouraged to follow @CityofCTAlerts for real-time updates on the maintenance work and the location of emergency water tankers.
6. What should residents do during the planned water supply maintenance?
Residents impacted by the planned water supply maintenance are advised to take note of the information and make the necessary arrangements. They should also limit their water consumption during the scheduled maintenance work and store sufficient water for household use in case of temporary water supply interruptions.
