Much of Cape Town without water from 5 to 7 May. Check your area and tell your people!

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing planned work in the identified areas, resulting in water supply disruption.

This critical maintenance work is done on the water supply infrastructure to benefit customers. 

Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to take note of the work that will take place and prepare accordingly.

Residents are advised to store enough water in advance, as a precautionary measure. Water should be stored in clean, sealed containers.

Planned maintenance work will result in water supply disruption to these areas: 

Pinehaven, Welcome Glen, De Gama Park and the Woodlands area off Dido Valley Road

Dam storage levels in the Simon’s Town area are currently very low, necessitating that the Brooklands Water Treatment Plant (WTP) operations be amended accordingly.

The Brooklands WTP is only operational from midday on Fridays until Monday mornings, with a reduced drinking water production of two megalitres per day.

Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant shutdown

The Voëlvlei Water Treatment Plant will be shut off from 08:00 on Monday, 5 May 2025, until 08:00 on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. 

This will allow the maintenance teams to safely do maintenance and replace and install additional air valves on the Voëlvlei pipeline. 

The City reservoirs to the supply areas will be filled in advance.

The Drakenstein municipality and private users along the Voëlvlei pipeline have been informed to fill their reservoirs and make alternate arrangements. 

Residents and businesses in the Durbanville, Fisantekraal and Klipheuwel areas are, however, requested to reduce their water consumption during this period.

Newlands, Rondebosch, Rosebank, UCT, Kenilworth and Wynberg

The Water and Sanitation Directorate will start with the annual cleaning of the Newlands Reservoir and has gradually started to reduce the level of the reservoir since Wednesday, 30 April 2025. 

The reservoir was isolated from the bulk water supply network on Friday, 2 May 2025, and cleaning will commence from Monday, 5 May 2025, until midday on Friday, 16 May 2025. 

Residents in these areas may experience lower-than-usual water pressure during this period.

Masiphumelele, Sun Valley, Sunny Dale and Ocean View

The water supply to these areas will be shut off temporarily from 09:00 until 17:30 on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. 

This will enable the maintenance team to safely install a T-Piece to connect a control valve to the outlet of the Harrington Pump Station.

These areas will either experience lower water pressure or no water during this period.

Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof

The water supply to these areas will be shut off temporarily from 09:00 until 21:00 on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. 

This will enable the maintenance team to safely replace a defective control valve and install an additional valve on the water supply network in the vicinity of Molteno Road in Oranjezicht.

Uitsig and Elsies River

The water supply to these areas will be shut off temporarily from 09:00 until 18:00 on Wednesday, 7 May 2025. This will enable the maintenance team to safely make a new connection to the water supply network in Connaught Road in Elsies River.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme, which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water. 

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.