Residents are advised that the St James Spring collection point in Main Road, Muizenberg, has been closed until further notice due to a lack of water flow at the source.
The City confirmed that, following a routine on-site inspection, no water is currently flowing from the spring. As a result, the collection point has been temporarily shut while investigations are conducted to determine the cause of the disruption. Maintenance work and cleaning of the infrastructure at the site will also be carried out during this period.
The Newlands Spring remains open and available as an alternative water source for residents. Located on the northern side of the Newlands Swimming Pool along Main Road, the site is accessible to the public 7 days a week, from 05:00 to 21:00.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, acknowledged the role residents have played in collecting spring water for irrigation and other non-potable uses. However, he cautioned that the return of water to the St James Spring cannot be guaranteed at this stage and encouraged residents to make use of the Newlands Spring collection point in the interim.
Historical significance of St James Spring
The St James Spring is one of several natural freshwater springs along Cape Town’s False Bay coastline, with a history dating back to early settlement in the area. These springs originate from groundwater flowing through the sandstone layers of the surrounding mountains, where rainwater is naturally filtered and stored before emerging at lower elevations.
At St James, the spring water typically seeps through underground aquifers and flows toward the surface near Main Road, where it has long been collected by residents. The steady flow has historically made it a reliable supplementary water source, particularly during periods of drought, although natural variations in rainfall and groundwater levels can affect its output over time.
