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Water management devices

<div class="ExternalClassE3DE1E15C78043A5982E134AD1F3837F"><p>We are discontinuing the use of water management devices (WMDs). This means that you will need to pay much closer attention to water use on your property going forward, especially if you receive water allocations at no cost, as you are responsible for ensuring your water usage remains below the current limit.</p></div>

<span> <h2 class="sectHeading">What is domestic water metering?</h2></span> <p>All formal properties with water supply have water meters, which we <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/How_to_read_your_meter_Poster.pdf" target="_blank">read to measure your water use</a> and calculate your monthly bill.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Previous metering approach with WMDs</h2></span> <p>The water management device (WMD) programme was originally set up in 2007 to help indigent households to manage their water usage and to reduce water being lost through plumbing leaks on private property. WMDs restricted the amount of water that households received each day.</p><p>We have revised our approach to domestic water metering and have been phasing out WMDs from July 2021. Over time, WMDs will be replaced by conventional meters. Remaining stock of WMDs in our stores will be installed where meter replacements are required, but set to ‘open flow’ during the transition period. </p><p>Download the New Water Meter Approach Pamphlet (<a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/New_Meter_Approach_ENG.pdf" target="_blank">English</a> | <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/New_Meter_Approach_AFR.pdf" target="_blank">Afrikaans</a> | <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/New_Meter_Approach_XHO.pdf" target="_blank">isiXhosa</a>) for more information.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Metering for indigent residents</h2></span> <p>Existing WMD meters will be set to ‘open flow’ in a phased approach from July 2021. If you receive indigent benefits, you will need to ensure your monthly water use remains under 15 000 litres per month to maintain access to this benefit. Use of the related level of sewage service is also allowed at no charge.</p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect<br></h4><p> <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2"><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-1-0"><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Financial-relief-and-rebates/Individuals/Apply-for-indigent-rates-relief" target="_blank">Register as an indigent resident</a></span></span></p></div></div><p> <strong>Indigent households receive 15 000 litres of water a month at no charge, but water use on the property may not be more than this limit for three months consistently. This is an average of 500 litres per day.</strong></p> <span> <div class="infographic bg-font-adjust-bg"> <figure> <img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/Saving%20Water%20Tips%20-%20Thumbnail.jpg" alt="placeholder" class="responsive" /></figure> <figcaption> <p> <span class="infoGraphicSpan"><strong>FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS</strong></span><br><br>Limitation of excessive water use among indigent customers<br><br> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Restrictions_for_indigent_excessive_water_users_FAQs.pdf" title="title" class="btn dark-blue" target="_blank"> <i class="icon download"></i>Download PDF</a> </p></figcaption> </div></span> <p> <strong> </strong></p><p>If water use on the residential property is higher than 15 000 litres a month for two consecutive months, a warning letter will be sent asking for water use to be lowered to required levels by the following month.</p><p>If water use is higher than 15 000 litres for a third consecutive month, despite the warning, then a flow-restricting device will be inserted in the meter to limit water supply to a trickle flow.</p><p>These devices are designed to allow 6 000 litres per month to the property, which is aligned with the free basic allocation provided for in South Africa’s national water standards. This device will remain in place for 12 months. After the 12-month period has passed, the device will be removed and the same process for the property will start again. </p><h4>Apply for a water use increase</h4><p>Indigent property owners can apply to increase the monthly water use if: <br></p><ul><li>There are more than 10 people living in the household </li><li>There are sick people living in the household</li></ul> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/Apply-for-a-water-consumption-increase">Apply for a WMD water consumption increase</a> </p></div></div></span> <h4>Watch out for leaks<br></h4><p>Under this new system, we recommend taking daily or weekly water meter readings so you are aware of increases in water use at your property. Sudden unexplained increases are normally due to leaks.</p><p>Identifying leaks quickly will help indigent properties stay within the approved water use limit. If you don't address a leak, you could lose the free water allocation. (We will still help with once-off fixing of leaks on the indigent property if this has not been provided previously). Find out <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Water_Finding_Fixing_Water_Leaks.pdf">how to find and fix leaks</a> or visit <a href="http://www.capetown.gov.za/savewater" target="_blank">www.capetown.gov.za/savewater</a> for more information.<br></p><p>In the case of non-indigent customers, the cost of water lost through leaks on your property will be added to your bill. Regular meter checks can help to identify and minimise nasty surprises on your bill, as you will be aware of spikes to water usage levels. Find out <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/How_to_read_your_meter_Poster.pdf" target="_blank">how to read your water meter</a>.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border"> <i class="info inclusive"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p> <b>An inclusive City:</b> Registered indigent households receive up to 15 000 litres of water and sanitation a month at no cost, which is among the largest allocations provided at no cost to indigent households in the country.</p></div></div></span><span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Metering for non-indigent residents</h2></span> <p>If your account is in arrears for non-payment of municipal services, and you do not settle their account in full or enter into an agreed payment arrangement in response to the debt management warning letters, your water supply will be restricted or reduced to a trickle flow using a flow-restricting device. This is in line with the current debt management procedure as per our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Credit%20Control%20and%20Debt%20Collection%20Policy.pdf" target="_blank">Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy</a>. </p><p><br></p>

We are discontinuing the use of water management devices (WMDs).

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DIY Guide to Finding and Fixing Water Leaks (English)	DIY Guide to Finding and Fixing Water Leaks (English)	577834	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-11-22T22:00:00Z
DIY Guide to Finding and Fixing Water Leaks (isiXhosa)	DIY Guide to Finding and Fixing Water Leaks (isiXhosa)	682520	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-11-22T22:00:00Z
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Indigent Households: Keep Saving Water Pamphlet	Indigent Households: Keep Saving Water Pamphlet	168384	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2017-11-28T22:00:00Z
Keep Saving Water: New Home Owners Pamphlet	Keep Saving Water: New Home Owners Pamphlet	175505	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2017-11-28T22:00:00Z
Limitation of Excessive Use of Water among Indigent-Registered Customers FAQs	Limitation of Excessive Use of Water among Indigent-Registered Customers FAQs	288909	GP0\|#7d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783;L0\|#07d9df7be-4d49-4007-95e2-153219f9c783\|FAQs;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2022-09-08T22:00:00Z
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