Homeowners are being reminded that the size of their water meter now determines their fixed monthly water and sanitation charges.
Cape Town homeowners could be paying hundreds of rands more in fixed water and sanitation charges each month depending on the size of their water meters, following changes to the City's billing system.
Fish Hoek plumber Etienne Krige has raised concerns that residents mat not realise their meter size now determines the fix portion of their monthly bills, rather than the municipal value of their properties.
Since July 1, the City has based the fixed portion of residential water and sanitation charges on the nominal bore, or size, of a property's water meter.
The change follows an April High Court ruling concerning the previous property-value-based fixed charges.
What homeowners will pay under the new tariffs
The City's mayoral committee member for water and sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, confirmed that the 2026/27 tariffs are based on meter size.
Under the new tariffs, a property with a meter measuring between 12mm and 22mm attracts a combined fixed monthly water and sanitation charge of R160.21, including VAT.
For properties with 25mm or 32mm meters, the combined charge is R446.59 a month. A 40mm meter attracts a combined charge of R1145.09, while properties with 50mm meters pay R1789.19.
These fixed charges apply regardless of how much water a household uses and are separate from consumption-based charges.
The following monthly fixed charges apply for the 2026/27 financial year:
Badroodien said approximately 97.5% of residential property water-meter records fall within the lowest fixed-charge band, covering meter sizes below 25mm.
Fixed charges do not apply to approved indigent properties.
All amounts include VAT and are monthly fixed charges. The tariffs apply to the Domestic Full and Domestic Cluster categories and exclude consumption-based charges.
Badroodien said the fixed charges contribute towards maintaining, operating, replacing and upgrading the City's water and sanitation infrastructure. Separate fixed charges apply because water and sanitation involve different infrastructure networks and associated service costs.
Residents are also billed for the water they consume and the associated sanitation service.
For residential properties, the sanitation volumetric charge is calculated using 70% of metered water consumption, based on the applicable tariff structure.
How to check your meter size
Homeowners in freestanding properties can check their water-meter size on their municipal rates account under the Water section, according to Badroodien.
Residents living in sectional-title properties, including flats and apartment complexes, should contact their body corporate or managing agent for the information.
Badroodien advised residents who believe their water connection size has been incorrectly recorded, or that they have been billed incorrectly, to contact the City's Customer Interaction Centre or Call Centre to log a query and request an investigation.
Krige has also put together a video demonstrating how homeowners can use their water meter to check for a possible leak.
The demonstration offers residents a practical way to familiarise themselves with their meters and keep an eye out for possible water loss.