Parts of Cape Town to be affected by an 8‑hour water outage

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The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will perform essential maintenance work in parts of Martinville, Somerset West, on Thursday, 24 April. This proactive project aims to strengthen the water supply infrastructure and will require a temporary shutdown from 9:00 to 17:00.

“This critical maintenance work is done on our water supply infrastructure to benefit customers,” the city confirmed.

Furthermore, the planned water outage will allow teams to assess and connect newly installed pipelines in Outlands Street, Pienaar Street, Gable Close, and Drama Street through to Van Zyl Street. Residents in these streets and surrounding areas should expect no water during the maintenance window.

A Proactive Approach to Future Water Security

This maintenance forms part of the City’s broader programme to upgrade water systems and tackle the issue of unaccounted-for water.

According to the Directorate, “careful consideration has been given to the planning of this work to ensure it is being done at a time that is least disruptive to the water supply.”

While the City acknowledges the inconvenience, it emphasises the long-term benefits. The upgrades are essential for ensuring reliable water supply into the future and preventing infrastructure failures.

Important Safety and Preparation Guidelines

Residents are reminded that all maintenance sites are considered construction areas and are off-limits to the public. The city also warns that “sometimes the maintenance work can be more complex than anticipated, which means the work could take longer.”

Following the restoration of the water supply, residents may notice discoloured or milky water due to trapped air in the pipes. “If left to stand in a glass, the appearance will become clear, like normal,” the city advises.

To prepare for the water outage, residents are urged to store enough water in clean, sealed containers beforehand and to keep taps closed to prevent water loss or damage once the supply is restored. If needed, updates regarding the work and the locations of water tankers will be provided via the City’s @CityofCTAlerts account on X (formerly Twitter).