Cape Town Declares Seven-Hour Water Disruption

Image source: Cape Town residents line up at a spring to collect water. (photo cred: GLAMOUR)

Published by: Dimphotsentle Pule

City of Cape Town known for its stunning natural beauty and iconic landmarks, has faced water scarcity in the recent years. The City announced that it will be performing zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments for approximately seven hours.

The affected areas include:

Tuesday, 12 March 2024 from 10:00 until 16:00: Cherrywood Gardens, Roundhay, Lionviham, Kalamunda and Audas Estate (Somerset West).
Thursday, 14 March 2024 from 09:00 until 16:00: Somerset Ridge, Westridge in Somerset West and Audas Estate in Bizweni (Somerset West).

In the mentioned regions, some residents may encounter low water pressure, and in certain cases, some might not have water during the duration of the testing phase which is expected to run overnight. Nevertheless, the municipal will provide water tanks to the areas affected by the maintenance. The municipality also stated that sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.

After restoration, the water might turn out discoloured or milky, this is caused by the trapped air in the pipes, but it will eventually clear up. “This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage,” stated City of Cape Town.

How should residents prepare for the water disruptions:

Store enough water in clean, sealed containers in advance for use during this period.
Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Cape Town’s water situation is a collective effort. Residents, businesses, and authorities continue to work together to manage this precious resource.