This by-law only applies to properties in the COCT and was published in the Government Gazette on 20 July 2018.
Changes included the following:
- Landlords must now keep record of consumption for each residential unit in a multi-tenant complex/block of flats, and inform the City if contraventions of water restrictions are taking place – this means water meters will have to now be installed for every unit.
- No irrigation of gardens is allowed between 09:00 and 18:00, including from boreholes and well-points. Previously no irrigation was allowed 10:00 and 16:00, and did not include borehole water.
- Toilets are now only allowed a maximum 6 litre cistern volume (down from 9 litres), and water from shower heads must flow out at no more than 7 litres per minute (down from 9.5 litres/minute). Only when it comes time to replace toilets and showerheads due to age or malfunction must new parts that conform with the revised standards be fitted
- All pools must be fitted with a pool cover to avoid evaporation when not in use
- All automatic flushing cisterns fitted to urinals must however be replaced immediately with either manually operated systems or properly maintained non-manual apparatus which causes the flushing device to operate only after each use.
- A prepayment water meter is now an option, in addition to the council’s existing Water Meter Device.
The changes furthermore indicate that as with boreholes, well points and wells must now also be registered. You now need to apply for consent from the Department of Water and Sanitation in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act1998 (Act 36 of 1998) if you want to sink a well; well point or borehole.
Failure to comply with this water-by law can land you in jail for up to FIVE years and you can be fined!
For more information, please go to: http://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Water%20Amendment%20By-law%202018.pdf
This summary was kindly provided by Robert Krautkrämer from MILTONS MATSEMELA ATTORNEYS