Update on planned emergency repairs on bulk water main in Faure

20 March 2023

The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has been busy with emergency repairs on scour valves on its bulk water in the vicinity of Faure this past weekend.

Affected areas: Faure, Harare, Zwelitsha and the high-lying part of Ilitha Park

The water supply to Amazon and the Film Studio has been shut off since Thursday 16 March 2023 until the repairs have been completed. This was to enable the maintenance team to drain the bulk water pipeline and replace the two faulty 300mm diameter scour valves. A third scour valve was also found to be damaged together with its valve chamber and is also being repaired. This has enabled the maintenance team to conduct the repairs safely.

This has also resulted in the disruption of the water supply in these areas since Friday evening during peak consumption, especially the high-lying areas of Khayelitsha (Harare, Zwelitsha and part of Ilitha Park) who either experienced low water pressure to no water. Water tankers were provided throughout the weekend and will continue to roam through these areas to provide water for domestic consumption.

This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate's proactive infrastructure maintenance programme which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted-for water. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience caused.

What residents need to know about larger-scale planned water supply disruptions:

• 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.

• All sites where water and sanitation repairs and upgrades are conducted are deemed to be construction sites and, as such, are off-limits to the public.

• Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, resulting in it taking longer.

• 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 the location of tankers where applicable), follow @CityofCTAlerts which is a City of Cape Town Twitter account.

How residents are advised to prepare for planned water supply disruptions:

• Store enough water in clean sealed containers that will last for your use during this period.

• Keep your taps closed to prevent any water loss and/or damage when the water supply is restored.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office

repairs and maintenance water and sanitation