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The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, which will result in water supply disruptions. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused. This critical work is done on our water supply infrastructure to benefit customers. Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to take note of the work that will take place. Read more below:

This work will result in water supply disruptions in these areas:

Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments

Plumstead and Wynberg
Conditional assessments are being done on the water supply network in these areas from Monday, 9 October 2023 until Thursday, 30 November 2023. This will result in the possibility of lower than usual pressures being experienced for up to 1.5 hours during the day in some parts as the assessments progress.

Die Wingerd, Greenway Rise, Stuart’s Hill, Martinville (Bizweni - Somerset West)
Zero-pressure testing will be done on the water supply network in these areas from 21:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2023, overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 19 October 2023.

Pressure management installations and operations

Zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.

In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure, and some may have no water coming out of their taps for some time during this overnight testing period. It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

Conditional testing on the other hand ensures that the pressure-reducing valves (PRVs) in the water supply network are operating effectively and managing the pressures at the determined settings to preserve the lifespan of the pipeline and reduce the occurrence of water wastage resulting from pipe bursts. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but will be minimised as far as possible.

This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.

Maintenance work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements

This work will result in the water supply disruption to these areas: 

Bantry Bay and Fresnaye  

The water supply main to these areas will be shut-off from 09:00 until 17:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 to enable the maintenance team to do safely a tie-in on the main water supply pipeline in De Wet Road.

Sir Lowry’s Pass area (Somerset West)

The water supply to this area will be shut off from 21:00 on Tuesday, 17 October 2023 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to install a water meter on the water supply main to the area.

Extension 12, Kanonkop, Sherwood Park and Beacon Hill (Atlantis)
The water supply to this area will be shut-off from 08:00 until 18:00 on Thursday, 19 October 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely install the new section of the water supply pipeline. Water tankers will be providing water for domestic consumption where required.

Hout Bay
The water supply to various roads in this area will be shut-off intermittently from 08:00 until 16:00 during weekdays starting on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 until Friday, 3 November 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to safely do valve replacements and fire hydrant upgrades in the area. Notices indicating the dates of the affected roads will be circulated in advance. Residents are kindly requested to store sufficient water in advance and to keep their taps closed on the day to prevent water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Part of Lansdowne
The water supply to the area bounded by Govan Mbeki Street, Lansdowne Road, Lower York Road and Jan Smuts Street will be shut off from 09:00 until 18:00 on Wednesday, 18 October 2023 and Thursday, 19 October 2023. This will enable the maintenance team to install valves in the local water supply network in preparation for the pipe replacement project in the area. Residents are kindly requested to store sufficient water in advance and to keep their taps closed on the day to prevent water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:

1. Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.
2. All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to members of the public.
3. Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.
4. For a short period after the supply has been restored, the water may be discoloured or look milky. This is because of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal.

For updates on the maintenance work (and location of tankers where applicable), follow @CityofCTAlerts which is a City of Cape Town Twitter account.

How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:

• Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
• Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Issued by the City of Cape Town