The City supplies 15kl of free water to about 230 225 property owners across Cape Town, who are registered and deemed indigent. This includes the cost of sanitation services of up to 10 500 litres of sewage.
Residents are urged to stay within this usage limit and use water conservatively.
Statistics of actual readings at the end of June 2024 determined that 23,1% of those receiving indigent benefits recorded excessive use above the 15kl limit, and in some cases even in excess of 40kl.
Residents are reminded that after two consecutive months of excessive usage, a warning letter will be delivered to the customer, to advise of imminent restriction if consumption is not adequately reduced.
On the fourth consecutive month, if there is no reduction in consumption, supply will be restricted. Restricted supply does not mean that there will be no water, but rather a low pressure, trickled supply will be available to the household.
To avoid any restrictions, we encourage property owners to visit the nearest City of Cape Town Municipal Walk in centre to apply for an increase in water allowance if there are more than 10 occupants residing at the property, or due to health reasons.
Indigent customers must also report if they have any private leaks that may be contributing to the increased usage. The City will arrange the leak repair only if the property owner has never benefitted from the City’s Indigent Leak Repair programme before.
Alternatively, customers can contact the City through any of the following channels:
· Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
· Email: water@capetown.gov.za
· Phone: 0800 103 089 (choose option 2: water-related faults)
· SMS 31373 (free SMS’ do not apply)
Between July 2023 and June 2024, the directorateissued 47 816 indigent customers with warning letters. Hotspot areas included Langa, Philippi (Brown’s Farm), Dunoon, Hanover Park and Gugulethu.
From 1 July 2023, the City placed 21 579 indigent customers on restricted supply.
Another challenge is tampering and illegal reconnection of water. The City is monitoring incidents closely and has so far investigated 1 855 suspected tampering cases related to both indigent and non-indigent customers.
Tampering sometimes occurs when the water supply to a property has been restricted due to monies owed, and the restriction is either unlawfully removed or a straight connection illegally installed. In other instances, water meters are tampered with in an effort to by-pass or reduce meter readings.
If tampering is suspected on an indigent resident’s property, the following process is effected:
· A thorough investigation is done to confirm tampering with the meter or the water connection
· Photographs are taken as evidence (where possible)
· The meter is removed for repair or replacement if found tampered with
· A notice of tampering is issued to the property owner
· A tampering fee of R5 000 is levied against the registered owner’s account
‘This procedure is in place to manage excessive water use by approved indigent customers. Residents who receive the free 15kl per month benefit are encouraged to manage their consumption efficiently, making an effort to preserve water and to use their allocation responsibly.
‘The City has a zero tolerance towards tampering and illegal reconnections,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Tips to save water
Water is a precious resource and we must all use it wisely. By saving water you can contribute to our water conservation efforts and help secure Cape Town’s shared water future. Here are some water saving tips to follow.
What to do once your water is restricted
When a restrictor disc is inserted into a meter, it provides 6 000 litres (6kl) per month, which is the basic allocation provided as per South Africa’s National Water Standards. The disc will remain in place for a period of 12 months. Thereafter the flow will be returned to 15 000 litres per month. To avoid a restriction, reduce total water use by everyone on the property, and fix any leaks.
Avoid tampering and illegal connections
The City’s Water By-law (Section 19: Interference with the water supply system) states that ‘no person unless authorised by the City may (a) interfere or tamper with, operate or maintain infrastructure belonging to the City for the provision of water services; or (b) effect a connection to the water supply system.’
