Water Outage in City of Cape Town, Cape Town
No water outage reported in City of Cape Town
Last checked: 07 Sept 2026, 14:15
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Water off, visible burst, or low pressure in City of Cape Town? Log it with the City.
0860 103 089(24/7)
Or log online at eservices1.capetown.gov.za
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 5 water outages affecting City of Cape Town in the last 90 days. Most common cause: planned water maintenance.
| Date | Duration | Cause | Street |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 2026 | 10.2 days | Planned Water maintenance | Planned National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) RSE Tunnel Maintenance Shutdown The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has notified all affected water users that the Theewaterskloof Dam to Riviersonderend (RSE) Berg River Tunnel will be shut down from 10 to 26 August 2026 to allow for essential inspection and maintenance work on the tunnel infrastructure. This shutdown will significantly reduce the availability of raw water during this period. To ensure that sufficient raw water remains available for the production of potable water at Blackheath Water Treatment Plant throughout the shutdown period, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will close the supply from the RSE Tunnel to the Faure RSE raw water pipeline. Residents are requested to reduce their water consumption during this period. |
| 07 Aug 2026 | 2.2 days | Water Main | Century City, Tygerhof, Brooklyn, Koeberg, Ysterplaat, Summer Greens, Milnerton, Kensington, Factreton, Maitland, Goodwood, Athlone, Langa, WP Showgrounds, Pinelands, Thornton, Parow, Ruyterwacht and GrandWest. The water supply to these areas will be temporarily disrupted from 19:00 on Friday, 7 August 2026, until 10:00 on Saturday, 8 August 2026, and again from 19:00 on Saturday, 8 August 2026, until 10:00 on Sunday, 9 August 2026. This will enable the City of Cape Town's Bulk Water Operations team to conduct acoustic leak detection testing on a critical bulk water pipeline as part of a broader condition assessment programme aimed at assessing the condition and reliability of the City's water infrastructure. Most of the affected areas are expected to experience low water pressure as water will be rerouted. Residents and businesses are kindly requested to reduce consumption to essential use only to help sustain supply for as long as possible. Consumers are requested to store sufficient water in clean, sealed containers in advance for domestic use during the disruption periods. Water tankers will be made available where required to provide water for essential domestic use as and where required. |
| 04 Aug 2026 | 15.3 hours | Zero Pressure Tests | Zero-pressure tests (ZPT) and conditional assessments will be done on the water supply network, resulting in water supply disruptions in the following areas: • Tuesday, 4 August 2026, 09:00 to 16:00: Ravensmead, Parow Valley and Epping Residents are advised to store water in advance as a precautionary measure in clean, sealed containers for domestic use during this period. Zero-pressure testing and step-testing are part of the installation process for zone management infrastructure. Tests are done in advance to see if any unmapped inflows need to be considered before installing new infrastructure (such as pressure-reducing valves for pressure management). In these affected areas, some residents may experience low water pressure while some may have no water during the testing period. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which exact areas or streets will experience disruptions. Additional zone management investigations will be carried out to ensure that the existing infrastructure is operating effectively. Pressure fluctuations may be experienced, but every effort will be made to minimise the impact as far as possible. This work forms part of the City’s Water Demand Management Strategy. Managing water pressure more effectively reduces the possibility of pipe bursts and water wastage. Residents are advised to store water in advance as a precautionary measure in clean, sealed containers for domestic use during this period. The City sincerely regrets any inconvenience. |
| 03 Aug 2026 | 4.6 days | Planned Water maintenance | Leak detection in Bonteheuwel and Brackenfell 3 (Morgenster Heights) The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate will be conducting visual leak detection in Bonteheuwel and Brackenfell 3 (Morgenster Heights) from Monday, 3 August 2026, until Friday, 7 August 2026. Leak detection is one of the water demand management interventions for saving water and reducing water loss through leaks. • A leak detection team will be walking on the streets to identify potential leaks, check all pipe contact points such as valves, water meter and fire hydrants. • All leaks will be reported to the relevant depot for repairs. • Residents are advised that there will be no disruption in water during this exercise. Residents are advised to store water in advance as a precautionary measure in clean, sealed containers for domestic use during this period. |
| 19 Jul 2026 | 8 days | Water Meter maintenance | VARIOUS AREA WITHIN CAPE TOWN |
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.
OurPower is an independent information site. We are not affiliated with the City of Cape Town. For official updates, call 0860 103 089.
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