Water Supply Disruption Leads to Closure of Tokai Forest Picnic Site

The serene Tokai Forest Picnic Site, nestled within the lush green tapestry of Cape Town, has temporarily closed its gates to the public. South African National Parks (SANParks) communicated that this closure is due to a water supply disruption in Ward 71 that has rendered the site's ablution facilities non-operational.

This disruption is a result of a burst pipe that occurred on December 2, significantly impacting residents of Tokai and Klein Constantia. The burst was traced to a compromised sewer pipe located over a major water line, which was inadvertently damaged by a private contractor conducting maintenance work on the Wynberg Reservoir’s main water supply pipe.

The affected pipeline is a crucial supply vein for the Ward 71 area, and despite the City of Cape Town's swift action, full resolution of water services is still anticipated. To circumvent widespread water loss, the City shut off a large 500-mm-diameter main water supply and quickly initiated excavations to repair the affected 300-mm-diameter water main in the Constantia Green Belt.

The ticklish situation roused prompt remarks from Cape Town's Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, who expressed empathy toward the affected residents, bearing in mind a similar pipe burst incident reported in the same week. Visibly tuned into the public chorus of frustrations, the Mayor laid emphasis on the City’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure improvements. In a reassuring tone, he spoke of the City’s proactive fiscal approach, specifically, the quadrupling of the budget designated for pipe replacement in a bid to accelerate the refurbishing of antiquated pipelines.

While this emergency work marches on, the recreational drawcard, Tokai Forest Picnic Spot, remains off-limits until authorities deem it fit for reopening. Meanwhile, SANParks has actively been steering visitors to alternative picnic destinations, such as Newlands, Oudekraal, and Silvermine. These locales offer comparable natural beauty and facilities that the public can enjoy. Moreover, cyclists who frequent the Tokai area for its scenic routes are advised that the usual parking area associated with the now-closed picnic site remains open for their use.

The City of Cape Town and SANParks have jointly expressed their regret over the inconvenience this has caused and reassured the community that they are leaving no stone unturned in their actions to restore the site to its operational status. Both bodies have been transparent in their communications and updates regarding the situation, ensuring residents and patrons are not kept in the dark.