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Water and sanitation services for business

<h2 class="sectHeading">Water and sanitation tariffs for business and organisations</h2><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>current tariff level</h4><p>The lowest (no restriction) tariff is in effect from 1 November 2020.</p></div></div><p> Find out more about <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/water-restrictions-explained">water restrictions</a>. </p><p>All water connections in Cape Town are metered and your water and sanitation costs are related to how much water your business uses. We calculate how much water your business or organisation uses by reading the property’s <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Commercial-utility-services/Commercial-water-and-sanitation-services/Water-meter-readings">water meter</a>. </p><p>Unlike domestic consumers, who are charged using a sliding scale or “stepped tariff”, business and most organisations are charged a flat tariff per kl of water used. This tariff, however, can differ depending on the type of business or organisation you run.</p><p>Water and sanitation tariffs are guided by the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Tariff%20Policies.pdf" target="_blank">Tariffs Policy</a>. </p><p>You will be charged according to the following tariffs (applicable during water restrictions):</p><p>Most common <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/L3-WaterSanitationRestrictionTariffs.pdf" target="_blank">water and sanitation tariffs</a><br> Water and Sanitation - <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Financial%20documents/Water%20and%20Sanitation-Sanitation%20Tariffs.pdf" target="_blank">Sanitation - Consumptive</a><br>Water and Sanitation - <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Financial%20documents/Water%20and%20Sanitation-Water%20Tariffs.pdf" target="_blank">Water - Consumptive</a> </p><p>You can access the:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Meet-the-city/The-City-budget/City-wide-tariffs">Tariffs - Annexure 6 </a> </li><li><div> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms%2c%20notices%2c%20tariffs%20and%20lists/L3-WaterSanitationRestrictionTariffs.pdf" target="_blank">Most common water and sanitation tariffs</a> </div></li></ul><p>In most cases, sanitation is charged at 95% of your total water use for the month. Commercial or industrial consumers who would like to contest the 95% sanitation charge will need to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/Apply-for-a-sanitation-charge-adjustment">apply for sanitation charge adjustment</a>.</p><div class="notification with-heading white-copy blue bg-navy"><div class="graphic no-border"> <i class="info wellrun"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Did you know?</h4><p> <strong>A well-run City: </strong>We have a number of important by-laws to encourage water-saving as a way of life for Cape Town’s residents and businesses. Make sure you <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Commercial-utility-services/Commercial-water-and-sanitation-services/Know-your-water-regulations">know your water regulations.</a> </p></div></div><p>Read our tips on <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/saving-water">saving water </a>in your business or organisation. </p><p>To find out more about where your water comes from and where it goes, you can consult <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/Water%20Services%20and%20Urban%20Water%20Cycle.pdf" target="_blank">Water Services and the Cape Town Urban Water Cycle</a>. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Using treated effluent</h2><p>If your business uses water for irrigation or industrial purposes, you can save significantly by using treated effluent or non-drinking water rather than drinking water. See our <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Commercial-utility-services/Commercial-water-and-sanitation-services/Alternative-and-recycled-water-sources-for-your-business-or-organisation">alternative and recycled water sources</a></span> page for more details.</p><p>For tariffs, please see the Water Consumptive Tariff in <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Meet-the-city/The-City-budget/City-wide-tariffs">Annexure 6 on our tariffs page</a>.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Disposing of industrial effluent</h2><p>If your business discharges industrial effluent (industrial wastewater), either to the municipal sewer system or delivered directly at a City wastewater treatment plant, you will need to apply for permission from the City and pay the costs for industrial effluent disposal. </p><p> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">Read more about </span> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Work%20and%20business/Commercial-utility-services/Commercial-water-and-sanitation-services/Disposing-of-industrial-effluent">disposing of industrial effluent</a><span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0"> </span> <span class="ms-rteThemeForeColor-2-0">to find out how you need to apply for permission to dispose of industrial effluent, the different kinds of disposal, and the costs of disposal.</span></p><p>Alternatively, you can make your application immediately by following the link below. </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</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Water-and-sanitation/Apply-to-discharge-industrial-effluent">Apply to dispose of industrial effluent</a></p></div></div>

Learn about water and sanitation for your business or organisation, how rates and tariffs work and how to query bills.

Tariff Policies	2421361	GP0\|#ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd;L0\|#0ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd\|Policy;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#2d2209ac-5bcc-4d2a-9da9-05fb21c94ea1;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-05-31T10:00:00Z
Water Services and the Cape Town Urban Water Cycle Booklet	3776727	GP0\|#5702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a;L0\|#05702b03d-251a-4a3f-8243-b5b3f7bb764a\|Booklet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2018-08-24T10:00:00Z
Water and Sanitation Tariffs	761442	GP0\|#cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168;L0\|#0cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168\|Tariff;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2024-06-30T22:00:00Z
Water and Sanitation-Sanitation Tariffs	1468809	GP0\|#fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139;L0\|#0fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139\|Budget annexure;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#6f477a30-54ff-4877-a387-889f32ddb0f9;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0\|#cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168;L0\|#0cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168\|Tariff;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82	2024-06-30T22:00:00Z
Water and Sanitation-Water Tariffs	1495531	GP0\|#fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139;L0\|#0fe9c9791-d3b1-479c-9447-8be3f4d5e139\|Budget annexure;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#6f477a30-54ff-4877-a387-889f32ddb0f9;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0\|#cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168;L0\|#0cd8d1412-d058-4a6b-aecb-9c6bd8dbc168\|Tariff;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82	2024-06-30T22:00:00Z