The City has sent out an alert for residents living on the Cape Flats regarding 75 hours of water disruptions to do essential maintenance on the area’s bulk water supply network.

This will result in no water and low water pressure in some areas from 01:00 on Friday, 16 September 2022 until 03:00 on Monday, 19 September 2022.

Here is what you need to know:

No water areas

While most areas affected by this maintenance will experience low water pressure, residents are advised that there will be zero water pressure, which means no water, in the following three areas for three days:

• Pelican Heights
• Peacock Close
• Schaapkraal

There will be standpipes and water tankers in these areas to provide water for essential use.

The details of the water tanker locations will be communicated in the week ahead.

Standpipes will be at the following locations:

Schaapkraal:

• George Road
• Sameer Barber shop, Old Strandfondtein Road
• 103 Old Strandfontein Road, just off Klip Road

Peacock Close:

• Seventh Avenue, off Old Strandfontein Road
• Hanekam, corner of Old Strandfontein Road
• Corner of Lorikeet and Old Strandfontein (behind Shoprite)
• Fairy Wren Road, corner of Old Strandfontein Road

Pelican Heights:

• Corsair Crescent
• Corner of Clipper and Frigate
• Corner of Dennegeur and Frigate
• Corner of Spine and Dennegeur

Low water pressure areas

The following areas (listed in alphabetical order) are anticipated to experience low water pressure, which may become a ‘trickle flow’ at times:

• Browns Farm/Philippi, Eagle Park, Grassy Park, parts of Khayelitsha Site C, Lavender Hill, Lotus River, Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Muizenberg, Ottery, Parkwood, Retreat, Seawinds, Steenberg, Strandfontein, Surrey Estate, Vrygrond, Wetton and Zeekoevlei.

Water supply is being rerouted from elsewhere in the network to these areas. All these areas will have some water, but at lower than usual pressure.

What all affected residents should do

BEFORE FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2022

• Store water before Friday, 16 September 2022, in clean, sealed containers, and/or in sinks or baths where possible.
• Where possible, try to do laundry before 16 September 2022.

FROM FRIDAY 16 TO SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2022

• Use water sparingly in this period, only for essential use
• Consider a “cowboy splash” or “top and tail” or ‘waskom’ wash for body washing. Use a bucket or large plastic bowl of water to wipe yourself down. Try to avoid using the shower or bath as the water pressure may not be enough in low-pressure areas.
• Use greywater from washing to flush toilets.
• Use a bucket or bowl in the sink to wash dishes. Do not fill the whole sink with water.
• Spot clean clothes where necessary.
• No hosing down of hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal tap water is allowed.
• Alternative water coming directly from boreholes and well-points should not be used for drinking, cooking (and food preparation) or body washing, as it is not treated as municipal tap water and it could be contaminated.
• Do not water gardens or top up swimming pools with tap water, as these are not essential use.
• In areas where there is no water, it is advisable to make sure your geyser is turned off for the duration of the pipeline maintenance period to prevent any damage.
• Ensure that all taps are closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.

WHEN NORMAL WATER SUPPLY STARTS AGAIN

When the pipeline maintenance is completed and the water supply is restored, you can open an outside tap to expel any trapped air in your local plumbing installation. This water can be stored in a container for later use, so it’s not wasted.

Why this work is needed

‘This shutdown is necessary to conduct crucial maintenance work on an important section and components of our bulk water supply network. While we regret the inconvenience this will cause too many of our residents, delaying this work has the potential for an even greater risk to our water supply shortly. It is being done over a weekend to minimise the impact on residents,’ said Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation.

The duration of the water supply disruption is due to the size and scale of the pipe network, as well as the time it takes to clear the pipeline to render it safe for the maintenance team to work on and fill afterwards to build up sufficient pressure to supply water across the affected network when the work is completed.

What to expect

‘Affected residents need to get ready for this weekend. They can help prepare themselves by storing water in clean, sealed containers and using water sparingly during this period, and using other tips provided. From the City’s side, we are doing all we can to help by providing water tankers and standpipes to three areas that will have no water.

‘Residents will start to experience the impact on Friday as the water is drained out of the pipeline network. We anticipate that the most impact will be on Saturday when the actual maintenance happens, and then it will start improving again on Sunday when the water starts filling the distribution pipeline again.

‘Our teams will be working around the clock to ensure the work is completed as soon as possible. We thank residents for the patience they displayed during the recent test shutdowns on this supply line, and ask for the same level of co-operation during this operation,’ said Badroodien.

More Information

• On how to use water wisely, and use greywater or other alternative water safely, especially during the period of this shutdown visit: www.capetown.gov.za/savewater
• For updates on the shutdown for this maintenance operation, follow the City’s Twitter account @CityofCTAlerts, WhatsApp to 060 018 1505, email water@capetown.gov.za or call 0860 103 089.