City of Cape Town to implement a 24-hour water shutdown

The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has scheduled a 24-hour water shutdown in multiple areas to maintain essential infrastructure.

The affected areas include Bellville, Parow, Parow West, and Plattekloof. Residents should prepare accordingly, as water supply disruptions will begin at 8:00 on Saturday, 15 March, and continue until 08:00 on Sunday, 16 March.

Water shutdown for critical infrastructure upgrades

The maintenance includes installing a new bulk water meter on the 535mm diameter water main supplying the Nassau Reservoir. The city has assured residents that the reservoir will be filled in advance to minimise the impact. However, consumers in the affected areas are urged to reduce their water consumption during the shutdown.

In addition to the meter installation, the city will conduct valve replacements, pipe repairs, and other critical infrastructure upgrades. Officials have emphasised that while every effort has been made to complete the work on time, unforeseen complexities could lead to slight delays.

Preparing for the Shutdown

Residents are encouraged to store enough water ahead of time to meet their household needs. The city advises using clean, sealed containers to prevent contamination.

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

“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.”

The City also reminded residents that all maintenance sites are considered construction zones and are off-limits to the public.

Staying Informed

For updates on the maintenance work and water tanker locations where applicable, residents can follow @CityofCTAlerts on X (formerly Twitter). The city has assured residents that careful planning has gone into scheduling the work at a time that minimises disruption.