The City of Cape Town has announced planned water supply maintenance that will affect multiple areas this week, resulting in temporary water outages.
Cape Town water outages to affect these areas on Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Residents in affected areas are advised to prepare for the outages by storing water in advance and following guidance provided by the City.
The maintenance will include pipe and valve installations, repairs, and other infrastructure upgrades.
Key areas and timelines include:
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Tuesday, 17 December 2024 (10:00 – 16:00)
Blackheath Industrial, Gaylee, Austinville, and Happy Valley will experience disruptions due to zero-pressure testing and conditional assessments.
These tests aim to identify unmapped inflows and optimize infrastructure for pressure management.
Wednesday, 18 December 2024 (09:00 – 18:00)
Thornton residents will face a complete water shutdown as teams replace a 500mm bulk water meter in Viking Way, Epping.
A water tanker will be on standby if necessary.
The City noted that the precise extent of disruptions may vary, with some areas experiencing low water pressure and others facing no water supply during the scheduled periods.
The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate stressed that maintenance is essential for long-term infrastructure resilience and water demand management.
Projects like these are part of Cape Town’s Water Demand Management Strategy, which aims to:
- Reduce pipe bursts and water wastage.
- Improve pressure control in the system.
- Address “unaccounted-for water” to ensure efficient supply.
The City also reassured residents that every effort is being made to minimise inconvenience and complete the work on schedule.
What affected residents need to know and do
To prepare for these scheduled outages, the City advises residents to:
- Store Water in Advance: Keep enough water in clean, sealed containers for use during the outage period.
- Close Taps: Ensure taps are closed during the disruption to prevent water loss or damage when the supply is restored.
- Expect Temporary Discoloration: After restoration, water may appear milky or discoloured due to trapped air in the pipes. Allow it to settle in a glass to return to normal.
