Blackheath, Pinehaven, Philippi, Ottery & more areas undergo water maintenance from 7-11 April

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

This critical maintenance work is done on our 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: 

Blackheath Water Treatment Plant annual shutdown

The Blackheath Water Treatment (WTP) Plant will be shut down from Monday, 7 April 2025 until Friday, 11 April 2025 for its annual maintenance.

This will involve the servicing of crucial components of the water treatment processes.

It will reduce the drinking water production capacity of the City significantly during this period. 

Our reservoirs will be filled in advance, however, consumers across the city are encouraged to reduce their water consumption while the Blackheath WTP is on shutdown.

Water supply will be rerouted to the Blackheath supply areas during this period.

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.

As from Monday, 7 April 2025, the Brooklands WTP will only be operational from Friday mornings to Monday mornings, with a reduced drinking water production of two Mega Litres per day.

Temporary closure of Bradwell Spring in Vredehoek, Cape Town

The Bradwell Spring collection point on the corner of Upper Buitenkant Street and Ludlow Road, Vredehoek will be temporarily closed from Tuesday, 8 April 2025 until such time the flow has returned. The source of the spring is of a seasonal nature and currently not able to supply the Bradwell Spring collection point.

The sign boards at the facility does state that the facility is dependent on seasonal flows. Visitors may collect springwater from the Newlands Spring in Main Road, Newlands if they so wish.

Vukuzenzela, Sweet Homes, Weltevreden Valley, parts of Philippi, Ottery and Lansdowne

The Water and Sanitation Directorate will be doing a test shut-off from 09:30 until 14:30 on Tuesday, 8 April 2025. 

This will enable the maintenance team to do an assessment of the area that will be impacted during the actual shut-off, which will happen from 09:30 until 19:00 on Thursday, 10 April 2025.

This work will involve the connection of the 300mm diameter pipeline, which has been rerouted to accommodate the construction work on Oliver Tambo Drive. Residents in the areas bounded by Weltevreden Road between Duinefontein Road down to where it links up with Varkensvlei Road and also Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi between Duinefontein Road and Ottery Road as well as Ottery from Govan Mbeki Road until and including Old Lansdowne Road will be impacted. Some areas will experience low water pressure and others no water.

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.