Urgent Water Main Repairs Underway in Atlantic Seaboard After Torrential Rains

The City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation Directorate is facing a daunting task after damages to the water main in Kloof Road, Camps Bay, disrupted the water supply. This follows the devastating heritage day weekend Cape storm between the 23rd and 25th of September 2023. Intense rains caused a subsidence of the embankment, leading to a sizable tree falling on the 300mm diameter water main, which subsequently disrupted the water service to areas including Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Fresnaye and Sea Point.

Action was promptly taken by the maintenance crew who rerouted the water supply from an alternative pipeline. However, the recent uptick in weather temperatures has challenged this contingency plan, as water demand in these coastal communities is beginning to surpass the supply.

The city recognizes the urgency of the situation and expects to complete work on the damaged pipeline by the 27th of October 2023. Residents are being asked to pragmatically reduce their water consumption during this period to ensure an uninterrupted, sustainable supply.

In a statement, the city said, “We express sincere regret for any inconvenience caused, but we need to stress that the maintenance of the water supply infrastructure is crucial for the benefit of our customers.” They further noted that the technical team needed to consult other city services for the replacement plans, joining forces with a determination to prevent a repeat of such an incident.