Water Outage in City of Cape Town, Cape Town
Report a Burst Pipe or Water Outage in City of Cape Town
Water off, visible burst, or low pressure in City of Cape Town? Log it with the City.
When Will Water Come Back in City of Cape Town?
Typical restoration windows for a water outage in City of Cape Town, depending on what caused it:
- Burst water main
- 4-12 hours - repair plus the time to refill and re-pressurise the zone. Higher-lying streets take longest to come back.
- Water off (mains affected)
- 4-8 hours is typical. Most City water outages in City of Cape Town are back within a working day.
- Planned maintenance
- Announced 1-3 days ahead with a 09:00-21:00 window. Store drinking water before the outage starts.
- Reservoir drawdown
- Pressure drops rather than full cuts. Usually recovers overnight when demand drops.
Water Outage History for City of Cape Town (Last 90 Days)
The City of Cape Town reported 10 water outages affecting City of Cape Town in the last 90 days, totalling 863 hours without supply. Average restoration time was 86.3 hours. Most common cause: zero pressure tests.
| Date | Duration | Cause | Street |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 2026 | 1.2 days | Planned Water maintenance | - |
| 12 May 2026 | 16.8 hours | Planned Water maintenance | Shutdown of the Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plant (WTP) The City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation Directorate will shut down the Wemmershoek Water Treatment Plant for urgent repairs to the MCC board and electrical components on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, from 08:00 for the duration of the day. These components affect the plant’s electrical supply. This will impact the City of Cape Town Bulk Water Supply, the Stellenbosch Municipality, Drakenstein Municipality connection, and the private users on the Wemmershoek pipeline. All reasonable measures have been taken to minimise the impact of this shutdown. |
| 11 May 2026 | 3.6 days | Zero Pressure Tests | Bantry Bay, Fresnaye, Gardens, Oranjezicht and Tamboerskloof |
| 11 May 2026 | 2.6 days | Zero Pressure Tests | Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay and Fresnaye. |
| 11 May 2026 | 2.6 days | Zero Pressure Tests | Van Riebeeckshof, Oude Westhof, Kanonberg and Kanonberg Lifestyle Estate. |
| 11 May 2026 | 11.6 days | Planned Water maintenance | Langa and Mitchell’s Plain |
| 11 May 2026 | 2.6 days | Water Main | Klaasenbosch |
| 11 May 2026 | 1.7 days | Zero Pressure Tests | Dunoon, Racing Park, The Stables, Killarney Gardens and Table View. |
| 11 May 2026 | 1.7 days | Zero Pressure Tests | Sun Valley |
| 11 May 2026 | 7.7 days | Planned Water maintenance | Jagtershof, Polkadraai, Kuils River Industrial, Sacks Circle, Highbury, Rustdal, Stellendale, Klipdam |
What to Do During a Water Outage in City of Cape Town
- Store enough drinking water for 24 hours as soon as you hear of a planned water outage.
- When water comes back, run a tap for a minute to clear sediment before drinking.
- If water is cloudy or discoloured, wait 10-15 min - this is usually air and flushed particles, not contamination.
- Close stop-cocks to your geyser if pressure is erratic to avoid damage.
- If the outage isn't listed above, call the City on 0860 103 089 to log it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Outages in City of Cape Town
Is there a water outage in City of Cape Town right now?
No active water outages are currently reported for City of Cape Town. If your water is off or pressure is low, call 0860 103 089 to log it.
How do I report a burst pipe or water outage in City of Cape Town?
Call the City of Cape Town on 0860 103 089 (24/7) or log it at eservices1.capetown.gov.za. For a burst, include the nearest corner and whether water is flowing onto the road. If it looks likely to flood, also call your local CID if you have one.
How long do water outages last in City of Cape Town?
Most unplanned water outages in City of Cape Town are restored within 4-12 hours - time for the repair plus refilling the zone. Large burst mains can take 12-24 hours. Planned maintenance is usually announced with a 09:00-21:00 window.
Is the tap water safe after a supply interruption?
Yes, unless the City issues an explicit boil-water notice. After a pipe repair the water may be briefly cloudy or discoloured - run a tap for a minute to clear sediment before drinking. Water quality in Cape Town meets SANS 241 standards.
Related Pages
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