The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be carrying out planned maintenance work on water infrastructure from tomorrow (Monday 1 September) to Thursday 4 September in parts of the city.
The work forms part of the City’s proactive maintenance and upgrade programme aimed at reducing water losses, preventing bursts, and ensuring the long-term reliability of the supply system. Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare in advance by storing water in clean, sealed containers.
Rylands – pipe replacement project
Contractor Carp Civils has been appointed to replace water pipes in Mabel Road and Middel Road, Rylands from 1 September to 12 December. Work will mainly take place between 08:00 and 17:00, Monday to Friday, with possible weekend or public holiday activity.
“Construction will use pipe-cracking technology, which may cause some noise and inconvenience. Brief, intermittent water flow disruptions are possible. Residents will be notified in advance of any planned shut-offs,” the City says in a statement.
Protea Village, Brackenfell – temporary shut-off
On Tuesday 2 September, from 09:00 to 17:00, the water supply to Protea Village, Brackenfell will be shut off.
This will allow the installation of three control valves and two fire hydrants on the main water pipeline. Residents will have no water during this period.
Manenberg, Bishop Lavis, Ravensmead West, Elsies River, Ruyterwacht and Paarden Eiland
An 11-month investigation project is under way to check the operation of existing water supply zones in these areas. On Wednesday 3 September, from 09:00 to 15:00, field investigations will be conducted in Paarden Eiland. This involves checking divisional valves and may cause brief, intermittent disruptions.
Overnight zero-pressure tests – South Peninsula
Zero-pressure and conditional testing will take place overnight in the far south on the following date:
- From 21:00 on Wednesday 3 September until 04:00 on Thursday 4 September.
- Affected areas: Masiphumelele, Sun Valley, Sunnydale, Chapman’s Bay Estate, Noordhoek, and along Noordhoek Main Road.
“During this time, residents may experience low pressure or no water supply. These tests form part of zone management planning to improve pressure control, which helps prevent bursts and reduces water losses,” the City says.
Why this work matters
The City explains that these projects form part of its Water Demand Management Strategy, which ensures that water infrastructure is better managed, supply is more reliable, and wastage is reduced.
Pressure management and ongoing upgrades are critical to prevent future disruptions and maintain service delivery.
“All repair and upgrade sites are construction zones and off-limits to the public. Maintenance work may take longer than planned if unexpected issues arise. After supply is restored, water may appear milky or discoloured due to trapped air in the pipes. This will clear if left to stand,” the statement reads.
How to prepare
- Store enough clean water in sealed containers before disruptions.
- Keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when supply is restored.
- Follow the City’s official alerts on @CityofCTAlerts (X) for updates and information on water tankers where provided.
