The City of Cape Town’s water and sanitation directorate has advised that various areas will experience water supply disruptions this week as the team conducts planned work on its water supply infrastructure.
Residents in affected areas are advised that water supplies may be disrupted and are encouraged to plan ahead for alternative water supply arrangements during this time.
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The following areas will be affected:
Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments:
Rylands – Athlone
- Tuesday, 12 September, from 9pm until 4am on Wednesday, 13 September
Step-testing will be conducted on the water supply network in this area to enable the maintenance team to divide the water supply area into smaller zones in order to map the water supply into the area.
Claremont
- Tuesday, 12 September, from 8pm to 4am on Wednesday, 13 September
- Thursday, 14 September, from 9pm to 4am on Friday, 15 September
City explained that zero-pressure testing and step-testing are done in advance as part of the installation process for its pressure management technology. These tests are conducted to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing smart pressure-reducing valves.
As a result, some residents in these affected areas may experience low water pressure while other residents may experience no water supply during the testing period.
‘It is not possible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions,’ added City. ‘Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.’
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Maintenance work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements:
Bergvliet, Constantia, Diep River, Elfindale, Heathfield, Meadowridge, Kirstenhof, Plumstead and Tokai
- Tuesday, 12 September, from 8am to 5pm
The water supply from the Wynberg Upper Reservoir will be shut-off. This will enable the water and sanitation directorate to safely replace a 535mm diameter water meter.
Residents in these areas are advised to reduce their water consumption during this period of low water pressure.
Knole Park, Ottery
- Thursday, 14 September, from 8am to 7pm
The water supply to this area will be shut off to enable the maintenance team to safely install a 300mm water meter.
City added that a water tanker will be placed in the area to provide water for domestic consumption during this time.
Capri
- Thursday, 14 September, from 9am to 4pm
The maintenance team will shut off the water supply main to this area to install two PRVs and a water meter on the main water supply pipeline.
Sonstraal Height, Bakersfield, Villa Palazzo, Vredekloof, Pinehurst and Bergshoop
- Thursday, 14 September, from 8:30pm to 4am on Friday, 15 September
A tie-in will be done on the main water supply to these areas to enable the installation of a new PRV and repairs of isolation valves on the pipeline.
Everite Industria and Brackenfell Industria
- Sunday, 17 September, from 8:30am to 8pm
The main water supply to this area will be shut off to enable the safe installation of a T-piece on the pipeline in Kruis Pad, Brackenfell.
The water and sanitation directorate explained that this work forms part its proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water.
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What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:
The City says 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.
However, maintenance work can sometimes be more complex than anticipated, resulting in longer-than-expected periods of water supply disruptions.
Additionally, 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.
The City advises that for a short period after the water supply is restored, the water may be discoloured or milky in appearance due to the presence of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand, the water will become clear in colour again.
How to prepare:
Residents are encouraged to keep taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage, as well as store enough water in clean, sealed containers to last during this period.
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Picture: Kartikay Sharma / Unsplash