The City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate closed the Newlands Spring facility at short notice on Monday, sparking frustration among regular Spring visitors.
Some seasoned water collectors (who never got the memo) arrived at Newlands Spring on Monday to find it shut.
In a communication released by the City on Sunday, Cape Town residents were asked to prepare for planned water disruptions this week.
The water cuts are linked to the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate carrying out essential maintenance across several suburbs.
The maintenance programme – which aims to protect and improve long-term water supply infrastructure – is due to run until Thursday, 22 January 2026.
One of the most notable closures has affected Newlands Spring, a popular water collection point.
The City announced that the facility would be temporarily closed on Monday, 19 January, while teams carried out repairs and routine maintenance.
Residents who rely on the spring were asked to plan their collections in advance (and to remember the 25-litre limit.)
According the City’s Mayco Member for Water, Zahid Badroodien, the upgrades at Newlands Spring are going as planned.
“The team is making good progress replacing all the damaged taps and fittings,” he told The South African on Tuesday. “I am advised that the repairs may be concluded ahead of schedule.”
“At a facility like Newlands the wear and tear is to be expected. Minimising wastage of water is necessary and so these repairs to deal with leaks need to be done.”
While the maintenance was needed, many Newlands Spring users have asked why the closure was announced at such short notice.
“We communicate our weekly maintenance usually the weekend before the work is to take place,” Badroodien added.
“The inconvenience is regretted, but the maintenance is necessary.”
What is significant about Newlands Spring?
Newlands Spring is a popular spot where locals collect free, fresh, mountain spring water from Table Mountain.
The water is famous for its high quality, and is historically important for the Newlands Brewery.
The Spring became a focal point during the Cape Town Water Crisis of 2015 – 2020.
Recent warnings about falling dam levels and extreme heat have renewed calls for Capetonians to use water sparingly.
Supply disruptions across the metro
Planned maintenance work will also result in water supply disruptions to the following Cape Town areas this week:
Claremont
In Claremont, parts of the suburb will experience a full water shut-off on Tuesday, 20 January. Affected areas include Fir Street between Stanhope Road and Campground Road, Newry Street, and Palmyra Junction Mall.
Water will be shut off from 09:00 to 18:00 to allow technicians to reposition a fire hydrant on the main supply line. Surrounding streets may also be affected.
Camps Bay
Camps Bay residents will face a shorter disruption on Wednesday, 21 January. Water will be shut off along Victoria Road, from Links Road to Upper Beta Close, between 10:00 and 12:00.
The City says this is a test shutdown ahead of longer repairs scheduled for 28 January. Those future works will involve replacing a faulty valve and fire hydrant.
Gardens
In Gardens, Somerset Close and nearby streets will be without water on Thursday, 22 January. The interruption will last from 09:00 to 18:00.
This shutdown will allow teams to connect a newly-installed pipeline to the existing network.
