Apply for a new water or sewer connection

If you would like to install a new water or sewer connection on your property, please follow the below application process.

Apply for sanitation charge adjustment

Your sanitation charges are based on how much water you use and are calculated according to a percentage based on the type of property concerned. However, in special cases, the City may approve a different percentage rate at which sanitation is charged. If you would like to apply for an adjustment in percentage sanitation volumetric charge, you can follow the process outlined below.

Apply for a WMD water consumption increase

When you install a water management device (WMD), you are limiting the amount of water you use per day to a specific amount. Once you reach that limit, the device will stop releasing water and will reset the next morning to provide another prescribed allocation. You can increase the daily amount by following the process below.

Apply for a water management device

If you would like to regulate your water usage, you can apply for a water management device by following the process below. This is a good way of saving money as you can limit your water and sanitation charges.

Apply for exemption from private isolation valves and sub-metering

Owners of properties with multiple residential, commercial or industrial units are required to install private isolation valves and meters for each unit. This ensures that water is used efficiently and prevents wastage. In exceptional cases, where this is not possible due to the plumbing layout of your property, an exemption from these requirements may be granted.

Apply for exemption from water restrictions

Water restrictions are necessary during and after droughts. Details on current restrictions can be found on our water restrictions page. All water users are encouraged to save water and adhere to water restrictions, but exemption is approved in special circumstances.

Apply for private logging on City of Cape Town meter

A private water logging device installed on your property’s water meter will help you monitor your water use in real time. However, as the water meter is the property of the City of Cape Town, you will need to apply for permission to do so. Installing the device and the choice of service provider/company will be at the property owner’s cost and discretion.

Apply for supply of treated effluent

The use of treated effluent (recycled sewerage water) for irrigation or industrial purposes is an excellent way to conserve Cape Town’s water supply. Find out how you can apply to use treated effluent on your commercial or industrial property.

Water Star Rating certification

The City’s updated Water Star Rating certification recognises the integrated water management system, and promotes best practices in water management, conservation and pollution control in every sector.

Apply to discharge industrial effluent

If not properly managed, industrial effluent has the potential to damage the municipal sewer system, disrupt wastewater treatment processes and harm the natural environment. Businesses that produce industrial effluent need to apply for permission to discharge it.

Apply to install and use an alternative water system

The City is promoting the responsible use of alternative water sources which can help reduce the quantity of water drawn from our dams. If you would like to install and use an alternative water system, please follow the application process below.

Apply to sink a borehole or wellpoint

Sinking a borehole or wellpoint on your property is an effective way to save valuable drinking water, as well as save you money on your monthly water bills.

Submit a certificate of approval for water installations

Following building work (and as part of a building plan process) a property owner or a registered plumber is required to notify the City two working days before the planned inspection date when a hot water cylinder (geyser), solar water heating system or heat pump is installed, replaced or undergoes alterations. This ensures that the work adheres to our Water Amendment By-law, 2018, section 42(7) and complies with relevant South African National Standards codes and National Building Regulations (NBR), Building Standards Act, 1977 (Act 103 of 1977).

Submit a certificate of compliance of water installation on transfer of ownership

A Certificate of Compliance (COC) of the water installation must be submitted before any property in Cape Town can be transferred to a new owner. This certificate can only be completed by a City of Cape Town registered plumber and is submitted by the conveyancing attorney.

Request a temporary water shut-off

Property owners who need to carry out plumbing repairs or installations can request a temporary shutdown of the municipal water supply to a street or area. This is only necessary if the property does not have access to a functioning private isolating valve (stopcock).