Cape Town: Over 1,000 households in Cape Town have benefitted from the city’s indigent leak repair project since 2021. The initiative, facilitated by the city’s Water and Sanitation Directorate, aims to repair private water leaks at the properties of registered indigent households, thereby preventing unnecessary water loss and helping vulnerable residents manage their water consumption more effectively.
According to South African Government News Agency, Zahid Badroodien, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water and Sanitation, stated that households are selected for the project based on unexplained high-water usage. Upon engagement with the affected residents and inspection of their properties, repairs are carried out free of charge. Indigent customers receive a free water allocation of 15,000 litres per month, and exceeding this threshold could lead to water supply restrictions, underscoring the importance of the leak repairs for sustainable water usage.
Badroodien further explained that the city offers a once-off leak repair benefit to qualifying households. The beneficiaries are identified by analyzing trends where registered indigent properties consume more than 50,000 litres per month. Households participating in the program receive assistance with repairs to leaking internal pipes, taps, toilets, fittings, and meter replacements, tailored to their specific needs.
The initiative aims to reduce water losses and highlights the importance of maintaining plumbing on private properties to avoid unnecessary costs. The city has allocated R3.8 million to the leak repair program for the 2024/2025 financial year. Badroodien expressed optimism about the growing participation in the program, indicating increased awareness among indigent customers regarding water-wise behaviors.
The project has been implemented in several areas, including Nyanga, Philippi, Gugulethu, Delft, Leiden, Bloekombos, Wallacedene, Tafelsig, Vrygrond, and Bonteheuwel. The city continues to urge residents to save water and use resources responsibly, regardless of the season or dam levels. Guides on ‘Finding and Fixing Leaks’ are available on the city’s website for further assistance.