Scheduled Water Supply Maintenance: Effects and Precautionary Measures

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has scheduled a series of essential maintenance works on the water supply infrastructure from 26 September to 5 October 2023. These vital measures aim to benefit customers by reducing water wastage, but they will result in temporary water supply disruptions in several areas. The City sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience caused and encourages residents to stay informed about the maintenance timetable.

Interruptions in Water Supply

Various areas of the city will be impacted by the planned maintenance work. In Claremont, Newlands, and Rondebosch, step-testing and zero-pressure tests (ZPT) will take place overnight on 26-27 September and 28-29 September to evaluate the water network’s state. During this period, residents may experience low water pressure or temporary water supply interruptions.

At the same time, Bizweni in Somerset West will undergo ZPT on the water supply network from 27-28 September, impacting the area’s water supply. ZPT and step-testing are essential for identifying unmapped inflows before installing smart pressure-reducing valves, a crucial component of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. These tests ensure the proper functioning of pressure-reducing valves (PRVs), reducing pipe bursts and water wastage.

Furthermore, other maintenance procedures, such as pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements, will occur in various locations:

• Nonkqubela area in Site B, Khayelitsha: test shut off on 26 September for the installation of a 450mm diameter valve on the primary water supply pipeline
• Northern parts of the City: closure of the Blackheath and Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plants on 26-27 September and 2-3 October respectively, to install large diameter water meters
• Gordons Bay, Strand, and Somerset West: Steenbras Water Treatment Plant closure on 29 September for the replacement of a 400mm diameter water meter
• Mowbray and Rondebosch: water supply main closure on 5 October for the installation of a 300mm diameter valve and repair of fire hydrants

During these maintenance procedures, residents of the affected areas should minimize their water usage. Water tankers will supply water for domestic consumption when necessary.

Essential Information for Residents

For larger-scale planned water supply interruptions, residents should keep in mind the following:

1. Maintenance work has been strategically scheduled to limit water supply disruptions.
2. All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades take place are restricted to the public.
3. Maintenance work may be more complicated than expected, potentially prolonging the duration of interruptions.
4. When the supply is restored, the water may initially appear discolored or milky. This is due to air trapped in the pipes, and the water will clear if left to stand in a glass.

Updates on maintenance work and the location of tankers (when applicable) can be found on the City of Cape Town’s Twitter account, @CityofCTAlerts.

Preparing for Scheduled Water Supply Interruptions

Residents are encouraged to take the following precautions in anticipation of planned water supply interruptions:

• Store an adequate amount of water in clean, sealed containers beforehand for use during this time.
• Keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the water supply is restored.

By staying informed and prepared, residents can minimize the impact of these scheduled water supply maintenance works on their daily lives. The City of Cape Town remains committed to proactively maintaining and upgrading its water and sanitation infrastructure, guaranteeing the future continuity of water supply, and addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water.