These Cape Town suburbs can expect water disruptions this week

The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate will be conducting planned water supply maintenance in parts of Cape Town this week.

Residents in affected areas are advised that water supplies may be disrupted and are encouraged to plan ahead for alternative water supply arrangements during this time.

Also read: Two Cape Town suburbs added to list of PSHB beetle hotspots

Zero-pressure tests, step tests and conditional assessments

Zero-pressure tests will be conducted on the main water supply to these areas and will result in the intermittent disruption or momentary halting of the water supply.

Maintenance work – Pipe and valve installations, repairs and replacements

The main water supply to this area needs to be shut off to enable the maintenance team to connect the newly installed pipeline to the existing water supply infrastructure along Camel Rock, Egret and Beach Roads.

This will result in the disruption of the water supply to the area.

What to expect

The City advises that maintenance work can sometimes be more complex than anticipated, resulting in longer-than-expected periods of water supply disruptions.

For a short period after water supply is restored, the water may be discoloured or milky in appearance due to the presence of trapped air in the pipes. If left to stand, the water will become clear in colour again.

How to prepare

Residents are encouraged to keep taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage, as well as store enough water in clean, sealed containers to last during this period.

Pressure management installations and operations

Zero-pressure testing and step testing form part of the installation process for the City's pressure management technology. Tests are done in advance to determine if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before the instalment of smart pressure-reducing valves (PRV).

Residents in affected areas may experience low water pressure or no water supply during this overnight testing period.

Conditional testing ensures that the PRVs in the water supply network are operating effectively and managing the pressure at the determined settings to preserve the pipeline's lifespan and reduce the occurance of pipe bursts and water wastages.

Residents in affected areas may experience fluctuations in water pressure during this period.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate's infrastructure maintenance programme to ensure the future continuity of the City's water supply.

Also read:

Cape Town Clothing Guild calls for donations for 134th charity drive

Pciture: Unsplash