15 July 2008

City Calls for Water Losses to Be Curbed

CAPE TOWN loses almost 19% of its piped water through burst water mains and domestic leaks and, while this is well below the losses for most other cities in the country, it does not compare well with the internationally accepted standard of 15% for world class cities says Councillor Clive Justus, Mayco Member: Utility Services, which includes Water and Sanitation Services.

“This water loss costs the City of Cape Town more than R4m each year and each and every one has a role to play and a contribution to make in reducing these losses,” says Cllr Justus.

Capetonians are requested to report burst water mains to the City’s all hours call centre on 0860 10 30 54 as soon as possible so as to limit water wastage.

He also suggests that residents who experience unaccountably high water accounts for their properties first check their own water meters - both last thing at night and again first thing the following morning - to see if any usage has been registered on the meter. Or they can take a meter reading, desist from all water usage for a few hours and then check the reading again. If it has increased then it is clear that an underground leak is present. “Minor underground leaks within the property can often occur with older copper and other internal pipe work and this can continue for a long time without being detected. All water that flows through the meter and has registered, is considered as having been used and has to be paid for. It is therefore in the owner’s interest to ascertain the integrity of the plumbing on their own premises,” Cllr Justus said.

END

Issued by: The Communication Department, City of Cape Town

Media Queries: Cllr Clive Justus, Tel: 021 400-1206 or Cell: 083 628 4136