||:: DEPARTMENT OF WATER ::||

Department of Water and Scientific Services

This department falls under the Directorate of Engineering Services. It is responsible for providing a constant supply of safe potable water and related water supply services to all consumers in the Buffalo City Municipal area.

The functions of this department include:

The management and control of water, wastewater operations and services.
The purification and treatment of potable and wastewater.
The acquisition, storage and distribution of water and the collection of wastewater.
The administration and financial control of water, wastewater and scientific services.
The governance of water regulations, planning and tariff setting for the region.
The provision of laboratory and scientific services.
The control of industrial effluent.
The planning and construction of minor works.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is my water account so high?
High consumption of water, water leaks, incorrect readings or tariff increases are factors associated with high accounts.

Who is responsible for installing meters?
The Department of Water is responsible for the installation and maintenance of water mains, connections and meters.

How can I check that my meter is accurate?
Should you be dissatisfied with the meter readings, you can request to have your meter tested (fill in the applicable form available from the Directorate of Engineering Services). You will have to pay a deposit that will be refunded if the meter is found to be faulty (ie if the meter is over-recording by more than 3%). You, or your representative, have the right to be present during the test and the result will therefore be final and conclusive.

If your meter is out of order, the amount of water you will be charged for will be based on the average consumption of the previous three months, or the nearest applicable uninterrupted three-month period. This will be determined by the Director of Engineering Services.

How often is my meter read? Is my consumption estimated?
Your meter is read at least once every three months. The municipality may, however, read some meters monthly.

In assessing the changes due in respect of any scale of water tariff, the nominal average monthly consumption will be used and no allowance will be made should the intervals between the successive readings of the meter differ from three calendar months or, in the case of monthly readings, by five or fewer days. Should the interval between successive readings exceed this tolerance, the actual average monthly consumption and the actual period will be used to calculate the change.

The council reserves the right to render monthly accounts based on the average obtained over the past three accounts, or a lesser number if supply has not been taken for such a period. The adjustment in respect of actual consumption will be made in the subsequent account.

Note: If you request to have your meter read on a date other than that decided by the council, you will be charged.

How do I report water-related problems?
Report the problem by telephoning one of the numbers below:
Coastal: East London and surrounding area
Telephone: (043) 705-9236
After hours: (043) 705-9200
Midland: Mdantsane and surrounding area
Telephone: (043) 705-9861
After hours: (043) 705-9200
Inland: King William's Town and surrounding area
Telephone: (040) 639-1716
After hours: (043) 722-1884 or (083) 299-5301

How much does water cost?
The current domestic water tariff is, VAT excluded:

Click here for the full tariff sheet [69 Kb Pdf]

How much free basic water do I receive?
All domestic users receive 6Kl (6 000 litres) of free water a month.

What water reimbursements and discounts am I entitled to?
Once your meter water has been tested and is proved to be over-reading by more than 3%, your account will be adjusted. If water bursts or leaks are reported promptly (and you can prove that you took immediate action), your account will be discounted.

What must I do to report a damaged water meter box?
You must log a report by telephoning one of the numbers listed under "complaints" in the right-hand column. The Department of Water Services will then conduct an inspection of the water box. If it is deemed damaged, the municipality will replace it.

How often is our water tested?
Water is tested daily and weekly, depending on the parameters being tested.

Am I allowed to have a borehole on my property?
You must apply to the Department of Water Services.

Billing and accounts
The City Treasurer's Department is responsible for meter reading and billing of accounts. Click here for information on account queries

DISCLAIMER: The Department of Water Services web page is currently under construction. The department will not take any responsibility for inaccuracy, etc. and any conclusions drawn or made based on this information until the web page is fully developed.

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