Update on planned water supply disruptions for the week ahead

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, but it is imperative that it maintains its water supply infrastructure to benefit its consumers. Residents in the affected areas below are encouraged to take note of the work that will be taking place in their areas.

Zero-Pressure Tests and Step Tests

Table View, Flamingo Vlei and Bloubergstrand (Postponed from 16 November)

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Table View, Flamingo Vlei and Bloubergstrand areas. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply in these areas on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 November 2022. The work was previously due to take place overnight from 21:00 on 16 November 2022 but was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Heldervue area in Somerset West

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Heldervue area in Somerset West, within the area surrounded by Main Road, Kirkia Street, Dianthus Street, Gardenia Street, Abelia Street, Prunus Street, Strelitz Street, Magnolia Street and Lobelia Street. This work will result in the disruption of the water supply in this area on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Wednesday, 23 November 2022.

Pinehurst area in Kraaifontein

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct zero pressure tests on the main water supply to the Pinehurst area in Kraaifontein, to the East of Okavango Road and South of Pinehurst Road. This work will disrupt the water supply to this area on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Thursday, 24 November 2022.

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 impossible to predict which areas or streets will experience disruptions.

Residents are kindly advised to store water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period and to ensure that their taps are closed to avoid water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

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 – Meter replacements

Manenberg

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to the Manenberg area on Thursday, 24 November 2022, from 20:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday 25 November 2022. This will enable the safe replacement of a 300mm diameter bulk water meter insert on the main water supply and may result in reduced water pressure and possible disruptions of the water supply to this area.

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

Maintenance Work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements

Martinsville in Somerset West

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to the Martinsville area in Somerset West on Tuesday, 22 November 2022, from 09:00 until 16:00. This will enable the safe installation of two control valves into the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area. A water tanker will be available in the area to provide residents with water for essential domestic consumption during this period.

Schaapkraal in Philippi

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off various water supply mains within the Schaapkraal area in Philippi, according to the schedule below. This will enable the safe connection of recently replaced pipelines to the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the specified areas for each day. Note that other parts of Schaapkraal will be subject to testing before and during each time-frame, resulting in intermittent water supply disruptions

Day 1: Wednesday, 23 November 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along the Corner Klip/Boundary Road and New Strandfontein Road; Corner Boundary Road and Kraal Road; Boundary Road and Boom Road; Schaap Road and 1st Avenue.

Day 2: Tuesday, 29 November 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along Schaapkraal Road and New Strandfontein Road; Schaapkraal Road and Vlei Road (North); Vlei Road and Middle Avenue. 

Day 3: Thursday, 01 December 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along Vlei Road and Schaapkraal Road (South); Vlei Road and North of Olieboom Road.

Day 4: Tuesday, 06 December 2022 from 09:00 until 18:00 – Properties along the Corner of Vlei Road and Olieboom Road; Corner of Kraal Road and Olieboom Road; Kraal Road and North of Olieboom Road.

• Sarepta,  Ounooiensfontein, Oakdene, Dannarand and Kalkfontein

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be shutting off the water supply main to Sarepta, Ounooiensfontein, Oakdene, Dannarand and Kalkfontein on Thursday, 24 November 2022, from 21:00 overnight until 04:00 on Friday, 25 November 2022. This will enable the safe connection of a new 110mm diameter pipeline to the existing water supply network and will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area. A water tanker will be available in the area to provide residents with water for essential domestic consumption during this period.

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

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.

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.

Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, resulting in it taking longer.

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 the 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 that will last for your use during this period.

Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

Source: City Of Cape Town