Residents Urged to Prepare for Disruptions
Cape Town residents are advised to store water in advance as the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate conducts critical infrastructure maintenance from September 29 to October 3, 2025.
Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation said on Sunday morning: “The City will undertake significant planned maintenance work on its water supply infrastructure, including a five-day shutdown of the Blackheath Water Treatment Plant and targeted maintenance in several areas across the city.”
Major Plant Shutdown to Impact City-Wide Supply
According to Badroodien, the most significant disruption will come from the annual shutdown of the Blackheath Water Treatment Plant, scheduled from Monday, September 29 at 6:00 AM to Friday, October 3 at 11:59 PM.
This shutdown will dramatically reduce the city’s overall water production capacity and directly impact water supply to the Glen Garry and Newlands reservoirs. While the City plans to top up distribution reservoirs before the shutdown, all residents across Cape Town are urged to reduce their water consumption during this period.
The maintenance will also affect neighbouring municipalities, with both Drakenstein and Stellenbosch municipalities making alternative arrangements for the duration.
Specific Area Disruptions
Rylands Maintenance Work
Residents in parts of Rylands should prepare for a water supply shut-off on Wednesday, October 1 from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The City will install new valves in College Road between Carnie Road and Jane Avenue.
Affected streets include:
- College Road
- Doring Road
- Flat Road
- Plettenberg Way
- Middel Road
- Mabel Road
- Tussen Road
Zero-Pressure Testing
Kraaifontein Industria and Wynland Industria Park will experience water supply disruptions on Wednesday, October 1 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM as the City conducts zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments.
During this testing period, some residents may experience low water pressure while others may have no water supply. The City notes it cannot predict which exact areas or streets will be affected.
Preparing for Disruptions
Residents are strongly advised to store sufficient water in advance as a precautionary measure. Water should be stored in clean, sealed containers. While this preparation doesn’t guarantee that all residents will experience disruptions, it ensures households are ready if interruptions occur.
The maintenance work includes pipe and valve installations, repairs, and replacements designed to benefit customers through improved infrastructure reliability.
Part of Water Management Strategy
These activities form part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy, aimed at managing water pressure more effectively to reduce pipe bursts and water wastage. Additional zone management investigations will ensure existing infrastructure operates at optimal levels.
While residents may experience pressure fluctuations during this period, the City has committed to minimizing impacts wherever possible.
For updates and more information about water supply disruptions, residents should monitor the City’s official communication channels.
What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:
1. Careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.
2. All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to members of the public.
3. Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.
4. 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.
For updates on the maintenance work (and location of tankers where applicable), follow @CityofCTAlerts which is a City of Cape Town X account.
How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:
1. Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
2. Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.
