| Apply to install and use an alternative water system | <h2 class="sectHeading">How to apply for use of an alternative water supply</h2><p>The installation of alternative water systems needs to be well managed and regulated to prevent possible contamination of the municipal drinking water system.<br><br>See our
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Guidelines%20for%20Alternative%20Water%20Installations.pdf" target="_blank">Safe and Responsible Installation of Alternative Water Systems Guideline</a> and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Summary%20guide%20to%20installation%20of%20alternative%20water%20systems.pdf" target="_blank">guideline summary</a> for more information.<br><br>The City’s approval is required to ensure that the installation and use of alternative water systems is done in a responsible way as per the
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20By-law%202010.pdf" target="_blank">City’s Water By-law (2010)</a> and
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf" target="_blank">Amendment (2018)</a>. Permission/ licensing from the <a href="https://www.dws.gov.za/" target="_blank">National Department of Water and Sanitation<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> may also be necessary,where it is required.</p><p>Click here to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/Apply-to-sink-a-borehole-or-wellpoint-or-use-an-alternative-source-of-water">apply to sink a borehole or wellpoint</a>.<br> Click here to
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/apply-for-supply-of-treated-effluent/Apply%20for%20supply%20of%20treated%20effluent">apply for supply of treated effluent </a>
<br></p><p> We can make use of grey water, rainwater, groundwater, surface water and treated effluent (wastewater). However, there are potentially serious health and environmental risks associated with using
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/alternative-water-sources">alternative water sources</a>.</p><p>To apply to install and use a rainwater or greywater system, or other alternative water systems, please follow the process below:</p><div>
<span>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>Appropriate signage is required when re-using grey water, using springwater or harvesting rainwater. You can download, print and laminate the City of Cape Town
<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Non%20potable%20water%20sign.pdf" target="_blank">non-drinking water sign</a>, although other suitable signage is permitted. This should be printed A4 landscape.</p></div></div></span></div><p>
<strong>Step 1:</strong> Download the application form for the installation and use of alternative water supply in the document downloads section at the bottom of the page. Complete the form, providing all the required information and supporting documents.</p><ul><p>
<strong>To apply you will need to attach the following supporting documents:</strong><br><br><strong>For systems which are only for irrigation and external use:</strong></p><ul><li>A compulsory diagram drawing of the intended installation.</li><li>Permission or a license from the National Department of Water and Sanitation where required (e.g. for groundwater or surface water).</li></ul><p>
<strong>For systems which are plumbed into the building for internal use:</strong></p><li>A copy of your most recent municipal account for the property (rates, water and sewage bill)</li><li>A compulsory diagram drawing of the intended installation, showing location of Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow preventer.</li><li>A certificate of approval from a
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/Find-a-qualified-registered-plumber-in-Cape-Town/Find%20a%20qualified%2c%20registered%20plumber%20in%20Cape%20Town">qualified, registered plumber</a>, if the system is already installed </li><li>A water quality test analysis, if that has been done </li><li>Permission or a license from the National Department of Water and Sanitation where required (e.g. for groundwater or surface water.)</li></ul><p>
<strong>Step 2:</strong> Once you have completed the form, submit it along with supporting documentation to
<em> </em><a href="mailto:water@capetown.gov.za"><em>water@capetown.gov.za</em></a>. </p><p>
<strong>Step 3: </strong>The City will review your application and supporting documents.
<br><br> Thereafter a City Water Inspector will conduct an inspection to verify that the installation complies with the Water By-law requirements.</p><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border">
<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> If the installation is ever changed in future, then further approval for the altered installation will be required. Including cases where alternative water which was used only for irrigation is then plumbed into the building for the first time.</p></div></div><h2 class="sectHeading">How to apply to operate as a water services intermediary (WSI)</h2><p>A water services intermediary is an entity/person who manages a residential development or business organisation, harvests drinking-quality water from an alternative water source, and then supplies it locally on the property for domestic purposes (bathing, cooking and drinking).</p><p>There are strict conditions for the management of a facility or operation that provides drinking-quality water for domestic purposes (bathing, cooking and drinking),this includes matters related to treatment processes and monitoring. In order to apply to operate as a water services intermediary, a contract has to exist between the City of Cape Town and the water services intermediary.<br><br>If you intend to go ‘off the municipal water grid’ or you want to operate as a water services intermediary in order to provide drinking-quality water for:</p><ul><li>domestic/household purposes;</li><li>residential complexes, business organisation, commercial farms etc; and</li><li>those living, working or visiting your property, you have to follow the application process.</li></ul><p>
<strong>To apply to operate as a water service intermediary, please follow the process below:</strong></p><p>
<strong>Step 1: </strong>Download the Water Services Intermediary (WSI) Application Form from the document downloads section at the bottom of the page. Complete the form, providing all the required information and supporting documents.<br><br><strong>To apply you will need to attach the following supporting documents:</strong></p><ul><li>A compulsory diagram drawing of the intended installation, showing location of Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) backflow preventer</li><li>A layout drawing of the property you are applying for, including: location(s) of the proposed abstraction and/or supply points.</li><li>Estimated costs of the entire operation.</li><li>Permission or a license from the National Department of Water and Sanitation (where required)</li><li>Water quality test analysis reports from an accredited laboratory.</li></ul><p>
<strong>Step 2: </strong>Once you have completed the form, together with the supporting documentation, submit it to:
<em>
<a href="mailto:waterpollution.control@capetown.gov.za?subject=Apply%20to%20operate%20as%20a%20Water%20Services%20Intermediary%22%3E">waterpollution.control@capetown.gov.za</a></em></p><p>
<strong>Step 3:</strong> The City will review your application and supporting documentation as detailed in the water services intermediary application process below.<br><br><strong>The water services intermediary application process includes:</strong></p><ul><li>Completing and submitting the ‘Application to operate as a water service intermediary’ form.</li><li>Internal inspection of the application form and annexures.</li><li>Request for additional information (if required) and verification/clarification of information provided.</li><li>Arranging a site inspection with the applicant.</li><li>Drafting of the agreement between the City of Cape Town and WSI.</li><li>Discussion of the agreement. </li><li>Signing of the agreement.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Contact us</h2>
<strong>For enquiries</strong>
<p>
<em>Telephone:</em><br><em><a>086 010 3089</a></em><br><br><em>Email:</em><br><em><a href="mailto:Water@capetown.gov.za?subject=Apply%20for%20alternative%20water%20installation%22%3E">water@capetown.gov.za</a> </em> </p><p>For more information, visit the
<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Residential-utility-services/Residential-water-and-sanitation-services/alternative-water-sources"> alternative water sources </a>page .<br></p> | | GP0|#aae9bde9-1c89-4895-a898-fcd0453f81ec;L0|#0aae9bde9-1c89-4895-a898-fcd0453f81ec|Water and sanitation;GTSet|#a7cfb90d-44ad-4426-98ce-565f79932396;GPP|#6c293e71-0db4-42d2-a348-6d21e8d13030;GPP|#54dbab3a-0b2f-4602-8af5-3d651c59a5f4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Apply to install and use an alternative water system | 0 |
