Hidden leaks could cause registered indigent households in Cape Town to use thousands of litres of water without realising it.

The City of Cape Town has allocated more than R3.8 million for the 2026/27 financial year to repair internal plumbing leaks at registered indigent properties across the metro.

Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badroodien, says qualifying households using more than 50 000 litres of water a month may be investigated for possible internal leaks.

Registered indigent households receive up to 15 000 litres of free water each month. However, households that repeatedly exceed this allocation may face water demand management measures, including flow restrictions.

“An undetected pipe leak or dripping fixture on a private property can quietly push a household beyond its monthly allocation for extended periods without residents realising it,” Badroodien added.

The City uses automated consumption trend analysis on its municipal billing system to identify properties with unusually high water use.

Officials then inspect the property to establish whether the high consumption is caused by an internal leak.

Where the household qualifies for the programme, the City arranges repairs at no cost to the homeowner.

Badroodien says the programme is intended to reduce water losses while helping vulnerable residents avoid the consequences of sustained excessive consumption.

“At the same time, we are protecting a precious drinking water resource for the benefit of all Cape Town residents,” Badroodien said.