The City of Cape Town is in the home-stretch of its three-day operation to do essential maintenance on the Cape Flats bulk water supply network.

The Water and Sanitation Directorate teams on the ground have been working around the clock to complete the maintenance work on the bulk water pipeline and are now in the process of carefully recharging the bulk supply pipes with water to restore the water supply to the consumers.

‘It will take some time for the pipes to be filled with water and the pressure to return to normal. This is because the bulk pipes are massive in size and have to connect with smaller reticulation pipes that bring water to our homes. When the flow of water changes over in the network, the pressure needs to be balanced carefully and stabilised slowly to prevent pipes from bursting.

‘During this time, residents are asked to please be patient while the supply is restored. We are aware of unexpected localised pipe bursts which are being attended to.

‘Residents are assured water supply to affected areas is being monitored closely. I would like to appeal to you to use water only for essential needs. With worsening levels of load-shedding this will help maintain the water pressure in your areas until the supply is normal,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

WHEN NORMAL WATER SUPPLY STARTS AGAIN

Now that the new 1800mm, 1500mm and 1200mm diameter valves have been installed, water is slowly and systematically filling the  bulk supply pipes to prevent pipe bursts.  The supply to the reticulation network will then be slowly released.

For a short period 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.

You can open an outside tap to expel any trapped air in the plumbing on your property. This water can be stored in a container for later use, so it’s not wasted.

Work started early hours of Friday morning. If all goes according to plan, water supply should start normalising by the early hours of Monday, 19 September 2022.

Water supply disruptions

Areas should please send a WhatsApp to our Water Contact Centre on 060 018 1505 if you don’t have water in your area.

Areas that should have no water are Pelican Heights, Peacock Close, and Schaapkraal. We have stationed water tankers in these suburbs.

Residents should expect low water pressure in Browns Farm/Philippi, Eagle Park, Grassy Park, Khayelitsha Site C, Hanover Park, Lavender Hill, Lotus River, Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Muizenberg, Mxolisi Phetani, Ottery, Parkwood, Retreat, Seawinds, Steenberg, Strandfontein, Surrey Estate, Vrygrond, Wetton and Zeekoevlei.

Thank you

‘The City appreciates the patience of our residents during this very trying time. As we previously indicated, this shutdown operation is the first of its kind and extent in the City, and while every effort was made to ensure that our plans accounted for as many eventualities as possible, this unfortunate impact earlier experienced was entirely unexpected. We however persevered and you have endured, but together we have made it possible for this Cape Flats bulk water pipeline to be repaired for the benefit of all linked to this network.

‘We are very grateful to our teams for the work they’ve done in redirecting the water supply systematically, and bringing relief to affected residents. We are also equally grateful for the patience displayed and cooperation from our residents in the affected areas,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

Source: City Of Cape Town