The City of Cape Town's Faure Water Treatment Plant will be shut down for three days, from 8am on Monday, October 5, 2026, until 6pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, for maintenance and testing. The shutdown will put extra strain on the city's water supply system, with residents and businesses being asked to use less water during this period. The maintenance work includes servicing filter valves, replacing valves and pumps on wash-water recovery tanks, and inspecting the inlet chambers to the turbines.
The shutdown was initially scheduled for September 28 to October 2 but was delayed due to an investigation and emergency repairs on a leaking 810mm-diameter pipeline in Claremont. During the shutdown, water will be diverted from the Steenbras and Blackheath bulk water pipelines to make up for the loss of supply. The City urges residents and businesses across Cape Town to reduce their water consumption during this period to mitigate the impact of the shutdown.
Several areas will be affected by the water interruptions, including parts of the Woodstock precinct, around Ravenscraig Road, Woodlands Road, Pine Road, Queens Road, Beyers Road, Warwick Street, Salmon Street, Coventry Road, Duke Road, Park Road, and High Street. The Woodstock pipe replacement project will run from October 5, 2026, until April 30, 2027, with temporary water shut-offs scheduled between 8am and 5pm daily. Residents in the affected areas will be notified in advance.
Parts of Strand will also be affected on Wednesday, October 7, from 9am to 6pm. The affected areas include parts of Broadlands Road, from the vicinity of Strandfoam Group to the N2, Lwandle Helderberg Industrial, and possibly surrounding streets. The work will allow the maintenance team to make a new connection to the existing 300mm-diameter water main. Additionally, parts of the Southern Suburbs, particularly the Grassy Park area and surroundings, will be affected.
The City will also conduct zero-pressure tests and conditional assessments, which will result in water supply disruptions in several areas. Testing is scheduled for Martinville–Bizweni from 9am to 4pm on Wednesday, October 7. On Thursday, October 8, from 9am to 4pm, testing will take place in Helderzicht, Lourensia Park, Paardevlei, Victoria Park, Silvertas, Garden Village, and Carey Park. Some residents may experience low water pressure while others may have no water during the testing period.
The testing forms part of the City's Water Demand Management Strategy, which aims to manage water pressure more effectively to reduce the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage. Residents in the affected areas are urged to store water in advance as a precautionary measure, using clean, sealed containers, and to keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage when the water supply is restored.
The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate is working to minimize the impact of the shutdown and testing on residents and businesses. The maintenance and testing are crucial to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the water supply system in Cape Town. Residents are advised to check the City's website or social media for updates on the water interruptions and testing schedule.
Key points
- The Faure Water Treatment Plant will be shut down for three days for maintenance and testing.
- Several areas, including Woodstock, Strand, and Grassy Park, will be affected by the water interruptions.
- Residents are urged to reduce their water consumption during the shutdown period and store water in advance as a precautionary measure.
