Cape Town residents are urged to prepare for scheduled maintenance on the city’s water system between 29 September and 3 October. Stay water-wise during this period. Image: Getty Images.
(The Post News) – Many families in Cape Town will soon face the challenge of managing their daily water needs as important maintenance work begins to keep the city’s taps flowing reliably.
From 29 September to 3 October, the city will carry out scheduled upgrades to its water system. This work includes replacing old pipes, installing new valves, and making repairs to improve how water is delivered across neighbourhoods.
Cape Town’s water system faces growing pressure from a rising population and changing climate, making regular maintenance essential. By upgrading old pipes and installing pressure controls, the city aims to reduce leaks and bursts that waste thousands of litres of treated water each year.
In addition, these regular maintenance upgrades will build a stronger, more reliable system that can better handle future challenges, ensuring households have a steady water supply even during droughts or high-demand periods.
Maintenance Impact on Residents
While not all areas will be affected, some residents may notice low pressure or short-term interruptions. One of the biggest tasks during this period is the temporary closure of the Blackheath Water Treatment Plant. The five-day shutdown is expected to reduce water supply to reservoirs such as Glen Garry and Newlands. To help manage the impact, the city will fill up distribution tanks ahead of time and is asking residents to use water carefully during this period. Nearby towns like Drakenstein and Stellenbosch have also been informed so they can make backup plans.
On Wednesday, 1 October, new valves will be fitted along College Road in Rylands between 9:00am and 6:00pm. This may affect water flow in surrounding streets, including Doring Road, Flat Road, Plettenberg Way, Middel Road, Mabel Road, and Tussen Road.
That same day, pressure tests and pipe checks will take place in Kraaifontein Industria and Wynland Industria Park from 10:00am to 4:00pm. These checks form part of a broader effort to reduce sudden drops in pressure and prevent future leaks. During testing, some areas may have little or no water.
The city has stated that it will try to keep the maintenance disruptions to a minimum, but unexpected delays may occur if the work becomes more complicated than planned. Once water is restored, residents might notice a cloudy or white appearance in their taps. This is usually caused by air trapped in the pipes and should clear after a few minutes.
Finally, all work zones will be treated as construction areas and should be avoided for safety reasons.
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