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The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has warned several southern suburbs to brace for a three-day water cut from 24-26 June for necessary maintenance to its water supply network on the Cape Flats and beyond.

The planned cuts to the water supply will begin on Monday morning, 24 June, and last until Wednesday, 26 June at midnight.

The city has urged residents to make preparations for these days as no water will be available. The suburbs affected are:

• Wynberg
• Wetton
• Ottery
• Plumstead
• Diep River
• Southfield
• Elfindale
• Heathfield
• Retreat
• Steenberg
• Lavender Hill
• Seawinds
• Vrygrond
• Muizenberg
• Parkwood
• Lotus River
• Grassy Park
• Zeekoevlei
• Pelican Park
• Pelican Heights
• Peacock Close
• Eagle Park

What all affected residents should do:

BEFORE MONDAY 24 JUNE 2024

• Store water in clean, sealed containers, and/or in sinks or baths where possible.
• Where possible, try to do laundry before Monday

FROM MONDAY 24 JUNE TO WEDNESDAY 26 JUNE 2024

• Use water sparingly in this period, only for essential use
• Consider a ‘cowboy splash’ or ‘top and tail’ or ‘waskom’ wash for body washing. Use a bucket or large plastic bowl of water to wipe yourself down.
• Use greywater from washing to flush toilets.
• Use a bucket or bowl in the sink to wash dishes. Do not fill the whole sink with water.
• Spot-clean clothes where necessary.
• You will not be able to hose down hard-surfaced or paved areas with municipal tap water.
• Alternative water coming directly from boreholes and well-points should not be used for drinking, cooking (and food preparation) or body washing, as it is not treated municipal tap water and it could be contaminated.
• You will not be able to water gardens or top up swimming pools with tap water, as these are not essential use.
• Make sure your geyser is turned off for the duration of the pipeline maintenance period to prevent any damage.
• Ensure that all taps are closed to prevent water loss and/or damage when the supply is restored.
• Only use drinking water from the City’s network (stored or from the water tanker) or bottled water
• Do not collect water from the scour valves, which will be opened at certain times to allow for flushing out sediments and debris from the system.

Councillor Zahid Badroodien, Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, has said “Previously we did work on our bulk water supply network, this time it is on our reticulation network – the pipes that bring water to properties.”

“This shutdown is necessary so that crucial maintenance work can be done safely on an important section of our water supply network which includes replacing faulty valves. We do sincerely regret the inconvenience this will cause to many of our residents, but delaying this work has the potential for even greater risk to our water supply in the near future. It is being done over a time to minimise the impact on residents as much as possible.”

For updates, you can follow the City’s X account or contact your local ward councillor.

[source:capetown.gov]