The proactive essential maintenance on the Cape Flats water network is progressing well as the City’s transversal efforts are more than 38 hours into the three-day operation. This work will ensure that the City’s pipe infrastructure is in the best possible condition for years to come. While teams are hard at work, the City continues to provide emergency care relief to affected communities where possible.

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A multi-departmental Disaster Coordinating Team (DCT) has been set up for the duration of this very important work to closely coordinate and monitor the various aspects of this 72-hour operation. Various City departments have been involved to support Water and Sanitation’s efforts. This includes Disaster Risk Management, Law Enforcement, Traffic Services, Metro Police, Public Participation and Corporate Communications.

Update on work on site

Work on five sites to replace now a total of six valves is well under way and are at different stages of progress. Valves have been installed at four of the sites, except Acacia Road.

During this time, a sixth valve was discovered that also needs to be replaced and will be done too.

As part of the work, teams also assess the existing pipes and do repairs, welding and modifications when needed.

· Prince George Drive – completed (two valves replaced)

· Blackbird corner of Acacia Road-  still under way with a new spool piece being manufactured

· Blackbird Avenue corner of Kestrel Road - still under way

· Carrol Road- completed

· George Road- completed

THANK YOU

‘Thank you to all our stakeholders, including residents, City departments, ward councillors, Peninsula Beverages, neighbourhood watches, who have all helped to support this massive operation and bring relief and support to our affected communities as much as possible.

‘Thank you to our residents for their patience during this time and for adhering to the call to store water ahead of time and use water wisely during this time. This has reduced the inconvenience and dependency on water tankers considerably so much so that the tankers are able to service the more vulnerable areas / communities during this period. Peninsula Beverages came on board and donated more than 4800L of bottled water and availed two 33 000l water tankers to help fill City tankers to reduce turnaround times when refilling our tankers.  

‘We are also very grateful to all our teams who have been working non-stop to complete this work in the shortest time possible. We will continue to closely monitor the progress on site and all the related support until the work is completed and supply is restored,’ said The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.

WHEN COLLECTING WATER FROM TANKERS:

· Water from City tankers is safe to drink. It has been tested.

· Store water in clean, sealed containers

· Be mindful of your neighbours who also need water- only collect what you need

· Be patient- you will be served

· Tankers will be on site from 07:00 to 21:00 every day

· If you have more than one container, officials will assist you with filling the first container and advise you to return to the queue to fill the others. This is to ensure a fair distribution of water.

· Be considerate of others- bring reasonably sized containers for filling

CONSTRUCTION SITES:

The five sites where the maintenance work is taking place are construction sites and non-workers should refrain from visiting them as heavy-duty machinery is being used.

Information

· Visit: www.capetown.gov.za/savewater

· For updates: follow the City’s social media accounts, the City’s X account @CityofCTAlerts, Councillor Zahid Badroodien’s social media accounts and contact your ward councillor

Supplied by: City of Cape Town