Certain areas in Cape Town to face 39-hour water shutdown

Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will conduct maintenance work in Plumstead, leading to a temporary water shutdown. This work, set to begin at 9:00 on 6 November and conclude by midnight on 7 November, will involve repairs to a 450mm stormwater pipe. Due to the complexity of the repairs, a 500mm water pipe will be shut off, impacting the water supply in nearby areas.

Residents and businesses along Burnham and Gabriel Roads are advised to prepare by storing water in advance.

“Affected residents and businesses are encouraged to store water in clean, sealed containers ahead of the disruption to ensure adequate supply,” said the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate.

A water tanker will assist residents at Pick n Pay on Gabriel Road.

Water shutdown broader impact on neighbouring areas

The maintenance work will affect more than just Plumstead. To mitigate the impact, the city will redirect alternative water supplies from Muizenberg to Constantia, which may cause low water pressure in areas such as Capricorn, Costa Da Gama, Tokai, and Retreat.

The Directorate emphasises that these disruptions are essential for proactively maintaining water infrastructure to minimise future supply issues.

“This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme, which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water,” the entity added.

Precautions and updates

Residents are advised to keep taps closed during the shutdown to prevent leaks or damage when the water supply is restored. Some water discoloration may occur initially due to trapped air in the pipes, but it should clear if left to stand.

For live updates, residents can follow the City of Cape Town’s alerts on X (@CityofCTAlerts).