The City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate’s R108 million Water Meter Replacement Programme is on track to help ensure that residents continue to have devices that provide accurate readings and bills. Having meters are also important for residents to help monitor their water usage on their properties.
Residents are advised the Water and Sanitation Directorate has appointed contractors to visit properties and provide owners with an official City of Cape Town letter indicating the City needs to replace their water meters as part of planned capital maintenance work being done.
Water meters in various areas across the city are identified for replacement based on functionality and the ageing of meters.
‘By the end of March 2023, the City has successfully replaced 17 800 meters in this financial year and plans to further replace about another 9 600 meters by the end of June.
‘City contractors are continuing to visit properties in various areas in Cape Town to replace water meters. In some cases, residents have been concerned about the validity of the visits, which is understandable. Contractors need to give residents an official letter addressed to their property. If residents are still in doubt, they can contact us using the details listed below to verify staff before allowing them on to their property.
‘This programme plays an important part in ensuring that our residents receive accurate readings and are billed accordingly, and that they are also able to monitor their water usage so that water does not go to waste. Seeing spikes in water readings is one of the ways residents can detect leaks so they can be fixed to help save water,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
What residents need to know:
- City contractors will have a letter from the City on an official letterhead indicating the work required.
- There is a service order number on the letter which residents can use to verify the validity of the work when contacting the City on the following channels:
Ø WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
Ø Call: 0860 103 089
Ø SMS: 31373 (max 160 characters)
Ø Email: water@capetown.gov.za
Ø Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- The replacement can be done on the day when contractors visit the property if the meters are accessible. Where meters cannot be accessed, customers will have seven days to contact the contractor to arrange a suitable time for the replacement. Should no response be received after this, the City will install a new meter outside the property.
- Property owners need to ensure that meters are accessible and unobstructed. Meters will be installed in the most convenient position to ensure effective meter reading. This could also mean that meters located inside customers properties may be moved outside for ease of accessibility ensuring regular meter reading.
For information on how to read your water meter including videos visit www.capetown.gov.za/savewater
