Thousands of mechanical water meters will be replaced in the City from this month. These meters will be replaced with smart, modern metering technology.

“This is a large-scale initiative to enhance water management and service delivery using modern water metering technology,” says Badroodien.

Thousands of mechanical water meters will be replaced in the City from this month.

The City’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programme has officially launched this month. This follows the appointment of a contractor to replace about 83 000 mechanical water meters with smart, modern metering technology.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says almost R1,1 billion is being invested in the first phase of the AMI project. This will result in early detection of water leaks as well as automated system readings for customers. You can also expect easy tracking of daily water consumption on properties.

“This is a large-scale initiative to enhance water management and service delivery using modern water metering technology,” says Badroodien.

First advanced water meter installations kick off in the third week of April

Badroodien says over the next decade, over 680 000 of the City’s existing mechanical water meters will be replaced by smart AMI water meters. This will be done along with the necessary supporting infrastructure to move the City’s metering system into a more modern digital world.

“This is a large-scale initiative to enhance water management and service delivery using modern water metering technology,” says Badroodien.

The programme is scheduled to be implemented in two phases:

The first phase will run for three years from April 2026 to February 2029, deploying about 83 000 smart meters in 170 areas citywide. The R1,1 billion investment has been provisioned for this phase of the project.

The second phase will be to replace the balance of the meters and is currently earmarked to continue up until June 2040. This strategic approach aids in costs over time, and installation progresses gradually based on available budget.

Water-saving and environmental benefits

By optimising the City’s water resource management and minimising water losses through early detection of leaks, the AMI programme supports water resilience, sustainability and addresses operational challenges. It also enables efficient and accurate revenue collection for an all-round solution. This will boost efficiency and demonstrate the City’s commitment to responsible water management.

Customer-centric solution with money-saving potential

One of the primary drivers of the AMI programme is to ensure more accurate billing and trust in its customer services. Upgrading to an automated, technological system will address complaints in manual readings that have resulted in customer dissatisfaction.

For the customer, AMI meters mean:

No more manual meter readings, resulting in increased privacy and security.
Automatic system readings eliminate human error.
Proactive system alerts, leak alarms, and anomalies are communicated directly to. customers via the City’s App, to reduce queries and provide the opportunity to save money.
The City’s App will provide remote access to detailed, transparent consumption data on your property. Further communication will be issued on the go-live date for this functionality.
Detailed consumption data gives customers an opportunity to adjust their consumption behaviour to reduce water usage and potentially generate savings.

Commercial benefits for landlords and tenants

• Landlords can track their tenants’ water consumption and can identify risks to property –
• damage if there is a suspected leak that could cause a burst later-
• Beneficial for lessees who prefer being billed for actual usage
• Evidence of actual consumption leads to fewer disputes

What can I expect if the meter on my property is being replaced?

Temporary water disruptions – the installation team may temporarily turn off your water to remove the old water meter and install the new smart AMI water meter.

During the installation process, you may experience low or no water pressure on your property.

No additional costs – installation and all associated costs are covered by the City of Cape Town as part of the budget allocated.

City contractors will need access to your property – the appointed contractor for the Water and Sanitation AMI project is PPD Engineering and Hardware Suppliers.

The programme also makes provision for new connections in terms of the approved tariff.

Safety precautions and identity verification of AMI installers

When the City carries out work in your area or schedules an appointment with you, all City staff and contractors are required to carry an identification card. This card will clearly display: the City logo, name and surname of the staff member or contractor. It will also show an embedded photograph of the staff member or contractor.

In addition, contractors are required to arrive in marked vehicles. They must wear company-branded uniforms and the required personal protective equipment (PPE). If unsure, residents are encouraged to call and verify the contractor and City staff. Contact the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089. You may also request the service order number to cross-check and validate.