The R108 million water meter replacement programme launched by the City’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is on track to ensure that residents continue to have devices that provide accurate readings and bills.
Residents are advised that the Water and Sanitation Directorate has appointed contractors to visit properties and provide owners with an official City of Cape Town letter indicating that their water meters need to be replaced as part of planned capital maintenance work.
Also read: City requests that geysers be turned down to 60°C this Energy Month
Water meters in various areas throughout the city have been identified for replacement based on functionality and age.
‘By the end of March 2023, the City will have successfully replaced 17 800 meters in this financial year and plans to further replace about another 9 600 metres by the end of June,’ said the City’s mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
He added, ‘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.’
Residents who are still unsure can contact the City using the information provided below to verify staff before allowing them onto their property:
- WhatsApp: 060 018 1505
- Call: 0860 103 089
- SMS: 31373 (max 160 characters)
- Email: [email protected]
- Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
‘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 Councillor Badroodien.
What residents need to know:
- The City will provide contractors with a letter on official letterhead indicating the work required.
- The letter includes a service order number, which residents can use to confirm the validity of the work when contacting the City through various channels: Call: 0860 103 089; SMS: 31373 (max 160 characters); Email: [email protected]; Online: www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests
- If the meters are accessible, the replacement can be completed on the day contractors visit the property.
- Customers will have seven days to contact the contractor to arrange a suitable time for the replacement of the meter that cannot be accessed.
- If no response is received within two weeks, the City will install a new meter outside the property.
- Meters must be accessible and unobstructed by property owners.
- Meters will be placed in the most convenient location to ensure accurate meter readings. This could also imply that meters located inside customers’ homes may be relocated outside for ease of access, ensuring consistent meter readings.
Also read:
Eskom urges South Africans to reduce electricity usage from 5pm to 9pm
Picture: City of Cape Town