Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will shut down the water supply in Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof for 12 hours on Wednesday, 7 May, to perform urgent maintenance. The water shutdown will occur from 9:00 to 21:00, affecting hundreds of residents in the area.
Water shutdown critical upgrades for long-term benefit
The City confirmed that teams will replace a defective control valve and install an additional valve near Molteno Road in Oranjezicht, as part of its broader infrastructure upgrade programme.
“This critical maintenance work is done on our water supply infrastructure to benefit customers,” the city said in a statement.
The upgrade falls under the Directorate’s proactive plan to reduce water loss and ensure long-term service reliability.
“This work forms part of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s proactive infrastructure maintenance and upgrade programme, which ensures the future continuity of water supply by addressing the issue of unaccounted for water,” the city explained.
Plan Ahead: What Residents Should Know
Residents are advised to prepare well in advance for the water shutdown. The City recommends storing sufficient water in clean, sealed containers and keeping taps closed to prevent flooding or damage when the supply returns.
The City emphasised that the work is scheduled during a time considered least disruptive to residents. However, delays can occur.
“Sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer,” the city noted.
Following the water shutdown, the water may appear discoloured or milky due to trapped air in the system, but this should clear once the water stands for a few moments in a glass.
Safety Measures and Updates
During the maintenance period, all work areas will be treated as construction zones and off-limits to the public. Residents are urged to follow @CityofCTAlerts on X (formerly Twitter) for live updates and the location of water tankers for the water shutdown, if deployed.
The City apologised for the inconvenience and thanked residents for their patience.
Are you prepared to manage a whole day without water?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
