The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has scheduled a series of critical maintenance works from 29 May to 3 June 2023. The infrastructure upgrades are essential to ensure the continuous supply of water to customers and address unaccounted-for water issues. The following information details the affected areas, work schedule, and how residents can prepare.
Affected Areas and Work Schedule
The maintenance works will result in water supply disruptions in the Westlake Industrial areas and the high-lying parts of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Mandalay, and Bay View. The work schedule includes:
- Replacement of a faulty control valve on the water supply main to the reservoir in the Westlake Industrial areas from 09:00 on Monday, 29 May 2023, overnight until 11:00 on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.
- A dummy shut-off on the 1220 mm diameter water supply main in the high-lying parts of Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Mandalay, and Bay View from 09:00 until 16:00 on Tuesday, 30 May 2023.
- The actual shut-off from 09:00 until 20:00 on Saturday 3 June 2023 for the replacement of a leaking coupling on the pipeline.
During these periods, an alternate water supply will be rerouted to the affected areas, but residents may experience lower-than-usual water pressure.
How to Prepare
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to take note of the planned works and prepare accordingly. To minimize the impact of the disruptions on their daily lives, residents should:
- Store enough water in clean, sealed containers for use during the disruption period.
- Keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the water supply is restored.
Important Reminders for Residents
Residents should be aware of the following reminders during the planned water supply disruptions:
- The timing of the work has been carefully planned to cause the least disruption to the water supply.
- All maintenance and upgrade sites are construction sites and are off-limits to the public.
- Maintenance work may take longer than anticipated.
- When the water supply is restored, the water may appear discolored or milky due to trapped air in the pipes. This will clear up after a short time.
- For updates on maintenance work and the location of tankers (where applicable), residents can follow the City of Cape Town’s Twitter account, @CityofCTAlerts.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate continuously works on proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programs. They regret any inconvenience caused by the planned water supply disruptions but remind residents that the works are essential for a better future. By following the suggested preparations, residents can help minimize the impact of the disruptions on their daily lives.
