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The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is currently doing emergency repairs to its 535mm diameter water pipeline in George Street, Ottery. The process started yesterday, Tuesday 27 June 2023, when the 1200mm diameter bulk water main had to be shut off to enable the maintenance team to access a leaking water main. This has resulted in a large part of the southern Cape Flats experiencing water supply disruptions. Read more below: 

Emergency repairs to the 535mm diameter bulk water main is still ongoing. The repair process was however delayed considerably for safety reasons when a medium voltage cable in the immediate vicinity of the operations had to be removed and rerouted. To address the leak on the 535mm diameter water main, the City’s Maintenance Team had to shut off the Bulk Water Main to these areas to do the repair work.

This resulted in water supply disruption to these affected areas:

Pelican Park, Eagle Park, New Horizon, Peacock Close, Pelican Heights, Strandfontein, San Remo, Bay View, Phumlani, Zeekoevlei, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Schaapkraal, Ottery, Wetton, Knole Park, Retreat, Heathfield, Steenberg, Elfindale, Marina Da Gama, Lavender Hill, Seawinds, Vrygrond, Parkwood Estate, Fairways, Southfield, Plumstead, Wynberg, Muizenberg, Lakeside and Diep River.

Some areas will be without water and water tankers will be sent there to provide water for domestic consumption.

The City was however able to reroute water supply from the Mandalay pipeline to the Strandfontein, San Remo and Bay View areas, although at lower pressure, which reduced the number of areas that have to be supplied by the water tankers.

The Regional Team has also rerouted the water supply as far as reasonably possible elsewhere in their network to provide water although at a lower pressure than normal. 

‘We would like to appeal to our residents to be patient during this period and also reduce their water usage activities as far as possible to eliminate the strain on the limited water supply. They are also advised to switch off their geysers when experiencing low water pressure and no water to avoid any damage and/or loss.

‘Our efforts were delayed because the Energy Directorate first had to remove and reroute a Medium Voltage cable that was in the immediate vicinity of the required repairs to ensure the safety of our team, given the already waterlogged environment that they are working in, ’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused and intends to restore water to residents at soonest. We apologise to our Muslim residents as well as this service interruption will have an impact on their preparations for Eid-al-Adha.

‘The City also appreciates the work currently being done by the subcouncil managers and councillors in keeping their communities informed as updates are provided. We extend our appreciation to the communities who are cooperating with us and heeding the call to reduce their water usage. It really reduces the demand for water tankers in these areas.

‘These collective efforts are important to ensure that we continue to provide a reliable water supply to our residents,’ said Councillor Badroodien.

The location of tankers are assessed in consultation with the councillors. Every effort is being made to ensure that the tankers reach as many of the affected communities as possible.

Issued by The City of Cape Town