Cape Town intensifies water inspections to combat wastage and enforce by-laws

Water inspectors will visit areas including Uitzicht, Westlake Business Park, Parow Industrial, Somerset West, Plumstead, Goodwood and Constantia in the coming weeks amid increased checks across Cape Town to regulate and enforce the City’s Water By-law and deter excessive water use. 

Other areas scheduled for inspections are Belgravia, Meadowridge, Table View, and shopping centres in Somerset West, Sea Point, Cape Gate and Kenilworth.

“Faced with below-average rainfall and increasing water demand, the Water Inspectorate ramped up their efforts to ensure residents and businesses are adhering to the Water By-law of 2010 and the 2018 by-law amendment,” the City said. 

During December 2025 and January 2026, water inspectors visited Sandown, Parklands, Bergvliet, Brackenfell South, Somerset West, Tokai, Monte Vista, Heathfield, Gordons Bay, Ottery, Groot Phesantekraal View and Brackenfell South.

The aim of these inspections is to check for water wastage, both private and municipal, leaks on City infrastructure as well as on private properties and illegal water connections.

Officials will also check for Water By-law Schedule 1 permanent restrictions, which include the restrictions on dampening building sand or other building material and hosing down hard surfaces or paved areas with potable water, keeping swimming pools covered to avoid evaporation when not in use, and contraventions to issue notices and fines where applicable.

Transgressors can be issued a spot fine ranging from R1500 to R5000, each time they are found violating the by-law.

“Checking properties for compliance with the City’s Water By-laws is one of several measures aimed at reducing water wastage. These efforts are supported by ongoing programmes such as leak detection across the City’s water supply network, annual pipe replacement and pressure management.

“Prior to the visits, residents will receive a knock-and-drop letter informing them of the inspection taking place in their area. Teams will check the GIS mapping system to determine which properties have a swimming pool and those residents will be visited to ensure that their swimming pool has an appropriate cover,” Mayco Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien said. 

City officials will be wearing City attire (hat and CCT branded t-shirt) and will carry their official City identity tag with them. Residents are welcome to verify this by contacting the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089. 

Cape Times