From Wednesday to Friday this week, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be performing water infrastructure maintenance in various areas of Cape Town, which may result in temporary water supply disruptions. This work will improve the City’s water supply infrastructure for the benefit of its customers.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to take note of the scheduled maintenance, outlined below.
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Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments
Affected areas: Claremont, Newlands and Rondebosch
Maintenance schedule: The zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments will be conducted in these areas from 9pm on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, overnight, until 4am on Thursday, 5 October 2023. The tests will resume from 9pm on Thursday, 5 October 2023, overnight, until 4am on Friday, 6 October 2023.
Purpose: These tests are essential in assessing the water supply network’s integrity and the effectiveness of pressure management technology. This measure helps identify unmapped inflows before the installation of smart pressure-reducing valves.
During this testing period, residents may experience low water pressure, and some areas may temporarily have no water supply. The specific locations of disruptions cannot be predicted, but efforts will be made to minimise pressure fluctuations.
Pressure management installations and operations
Purpose: Pressure management technology installation requires testing to ensure its effectiveness. This includes zero-pressure testing and step testing to evaluate the network’s performance.
Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements
Affected areas:
- Site B, Nonkqubela area (Khayelitsha): The water supply to this area will be shut off from 8am until 4pm on Wednesday, 4 October 2023. This temporary interruption is necessary to safely install a 450-mm-diameter valve on the main water supply pipeline. Water tankers will be deployed to provide water for domestic consumption during this period.
- Mowbray and Rondebosch: The water supply main in these areas will be shut off from 9am until 7pm on Thursday, 5 October 2023. This interruption is to facilitate the installation of a 300-mm-diameter valve on the main water supply pipeline and repair fire hydrants.
Purpose: This maintenance work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme. It aims to ensure the long-term continuity of water supply by addressing unaccounted-for water issues.
The City of Cape Town acknowledged the potential inconvenience these disruptions may cause to residents and apologised for any inconvenience.
To stay informed about the maintenance work and the locations of water tankers, where applicable, residents are encouraged to follow @CityofCTAlerts on Twitter.
What residents should know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions
- Careful timing: The City has carefully scheduled this work to minimise disruptions to the water supply.
- Construction sites: All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are considered construction sites and are off-limits to the public.
- Possible delays: Complex maintenance work might extend the scheduled time frame.
- Water quality: After the supply is restored, water may briefly appear discoloured or milky due to trapped air in the pipes. Leaving it to stand in a glass will eventually clarify its appearance.
How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions
- Water storage: Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during the maintenance period.
- Taps closed: Keep your taps closed to prevent water loss and potential damage when the water supply is restored.
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