Water tankers have been deployed as essential maintenance begins on the Cape Flats water supply network. Mayco member for water and sanitation councillor Zahid Badroodien says valves were closed at midnight as planned, cutting water to at least 22 areas. The 72-hour shutdown includes Wynberg, Ottery, Grassy Park, Lotus River, Pelikan Park, and Muizenberg. Badroodien says the reason for the water supply disruption is due to:
– the size and scale of the pipe network;
– the time it takes to clear the pipeline, so it’s safe for the maintenance team to work on;
– the time it takes for the pipeline to fill afterwards to build up sufficient pressure to supply water across the affected network when the work is completed.
The maintenance which is being done on the reticulation network – the pipes that bring water to properties – will see the replacement of among others faulty valves. Previously the municipality carried out maintenance on the bulk water supply network.
