The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced planned water supply interruptions in several areas, starting Monday, October 5. The interruptions are necessary for maintenance at the Faure Water Treatment Plant, which will shut down from 8am on October 5 until 6pm on October 7. During this time, maintenance will include servicing filter valves, replacing valves and pumps on wash-water recovery tanks, and inspecting the inlet chambers to the turbines.
The maintenance at Faure Water Treatment Plant 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 normally supplied by Faure will be rerouted from the Steenbras and Blackheath bulk water pipelines, with reservoirs filled in advance. However, the shutdown will place additional strain on the City's bulk water storage, and residents and businesses are being urged to reduce their water consumption.
The areas affected by the water interruptions include 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 streets will experience no water during the periods they are affected and 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.
In Grassy Park, residents in Dieman Road, Iris Road, and possibly surrounding streets will be affected from 8am to 7pm on Wednesday, October 7. 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. Testing will also take place in Da Gama Park, Welcome Glen, and Scala Road during the same period. The City says some residents may experience low water pressure while others may have no water during the testing period.
The City's Water and Sanitation Directorate is urging residents of affected areas 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 testing forms part of the City's Water Demand Management Strategy, which aims to manage water pressure more effectively and reduce the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage.
Key points
- The City of Cape Town's Water and Sanitation Directorate has announced planned water supply interruptions in several areas for maintenance and testing.
- The maintenance at Faure Water Treatment Plant will shut down from 8am on October 5 until 6pm on October 7.
- Residents in affected areas are urged to store water in advance and reduce their water consumption during this period.
