Cape Town residents and businesses have once again been urged to reduce non-essential water use, to help maintain water supply across the city.

A notice was sent out on social media community pages this week by ward councillors, issued by the City of Cape Town.

In the notice, the City’s water and sanitation directorate urgently requests all residents and businesses to reduce water consumption to essential use only, following two unrelated incidents that have significantly affected the City’s water treatment capacity.

Plants

It said the Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant had been rendered offline last weekend, following vandalism and cable theft that damaged critical electrical infrastructure. In addition, it said, the Blackheath Water Treatment Plant has experienced a failure in its sludge management system, requiring production to be reduced to maintain treatment performance and ensure water quality standards are met.

The City said these incidents have placed significant pressure on its bulk water storage system and the wider supply network.

Repair

Zahid Badroodien, Mayco member for water and sanitation, said technical teams are working to restore operations at both treatment plants as quickly as possible. If water consumption remains high, bulk water storage levels may continue to decline, he said, which could result in water supply disruptions.

The public is advised to postpone non-essential water use, including the watering of gardens, washing vehicles, filling swimming pools and hosing down paved areas.

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