Cape Town: 72-hours water outage announced in 22 areas

Starting Monday, 24 June, the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will commence a crucial 72-hour water shutdown maintenance operation on the water supply network on the Cape Flats.

This extensive maintenance, running until Wednesday, 26 June, will necessitate water outages across several areas. Despite the temporary disruption, this work aims to enhance the city’s water infrastructure, ensuring long-term reliability.

AFFECTED AREAS AND PREPARATIONS FOR WATER SHUTDOWN

The water shutdown will impact the following areas, which will be without water for three consecutive days: Wynberg, Wetton, Ottery, Plumstead, Diep River, Southfield, Elfindale, Heathfield, Retreat, Steenberg, Lavender Hill, Seawinds, Vrygrond, Muizenberg, Parkwood, Lotus River, Grassy Park, Zeekoevlei, Pelican Park, Pelican Heights, Peacock Close, and Eagle Park.

Residents should prepare by storing water in clean, sealed containers and completing necessary laundry tasks before the shutdown. During the water shutdown, water should be used sparingly for essential purposes only. Alternative washing methods, such as using a bucket for personal hygiene, are recommended. Greywater can be repurposed for flushing toilets, and dishes should be washed in a bucket or bowl instead of filling the sink.

WATER TANKERS AND COLLECTION POINTS

To alleviate the water shutdown inconvenience, six water tankers will be stationed at key locations for emergency water supply. The exact locations will be communicated in due course. Residents are encouraged to store water in advance to minimise reliance on these tankers. It is essential to collect only what is needed and to store the water in clean, sealed containers. Water from these tankers is safe to drink as it has been tested.

SAFETY AND CONSTRUCTION SITES

The maintenance work will take place at five designated construction sites. Residents are advised to stay clear of these areas due to the presence of heavy machinery and potential hazards. The 72-hour water shutdown duration is necessary to safely clear, maintain, and refill the pipeline. This will ensure it reaches adequate pressure to restore water supply across the affected areas.

Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, emphasised the importance of this maintenance.

“’This shutdown is necessary so that crucial maintenance work can be done safely on an important section of our water supply network which includes replacing faulty valves. We do sincerely regret the inconvenience this will cause to many of our residents, but delaying this work has the potential for even greater risk to our water supply in the near future. It is being done over a time to minimise the impact on residents as much as possible,” he stated.

This operation follows previous maintenance on the bulk water supply network, focusing this time on the reticulation network that delivers water to individual properties. The city appreciates residents’ cooperation and understanding during this essential maintenance period.