The CoE is urging indigent households to use their free water wisely. If they do not, it may restrict the supply, bill them for excess use, or institute legal action.

Households registered as indigent receive 10kL of free water and sanitation monthly, while those classified as deemed indigent (based on property value) receive 6kL. The city states that many households use more water than their free limit allows.

“Only the amount covered by the indigent relief will be credited to the account. The household must pay for any extra use,” the city confirmed.

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The city may mark accounts as overdue and implement credit control or debt collection measures for residents failing to pay for additional water use.

To recover outstanding payments, the municipality may restrict water supply or install restrictors on properties of consumers who exceed their free allocation and fail to pay. The city will also do biannual inspections to check for unauthorised water use and tampering with restrictors.

Anyone found violating the city’s water services by-law will be billed for excess use and could face legal action.

Ways to avoid exceeding the monthly water allocation:
• Promptly fix leaks;
• Use water-efficient appliances;
• Avoid washing cars with a hosepipe;
• Take shorter showers.