Blackheath, Belhar and Bellville are among the first residential areas that will receive smart, modern-water meters from the City of Cape Town.
The City’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) programme officially launches in April, following the appointment of a contractor to replace about 83 000 mechanical water meters with smart, modern metering technology.
Billions
Almost R1,1 billion is being invested in the first phase of the AMI project, which will result in early detection of water leaks, automated system readings for customers and easy tracking of daily water consumption on their properties. “The Water and Sanitation Directorate is excited to begin roll-out of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Programme,” said Mayco member for Water and Sanitation Zahid Badroodien. “This is a large-scale initiative to enhance water management and service delivery using modern water metering technology. Over the next decade more than 680 000 of the City’s existing mechanical water meters will be replaced by smart AMI water meters, along with the necessary supporting infrastructure to move our metering system into a more modern digital world.”
Two phases
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 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 to be allocated over time, and installation to progress gradually based on available budget.
Key benefits of AMI water meters include optimising the City’s water resource management and minimising water losses through early detection of leaks, by which the AMI programme will support water resilience and sustainability, and addresses operational challenges. It also enables efficient and accurate revenue collection for an all-round solution, which boosts efficiency and demonstrates the City’s commitment to responsible water management.
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 eliminating 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 consumption behaviour to reduce water usage and potentially generate savings
-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.
ALSO READ:https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Centre%20Assets/FAQs%20-AMI-Programme.pdf
“The City has thought carefully about every aspect, including design and durability,” Badroodien said. “The smart AMI water meters will be equipped with an anti-tampering mechanism, in the form of a lockable protective cover, in an effort to reduce the risk of theft and tampering with the enclosed meter. Also, data will be transmitted via eSIM technology rather than a physical sim card, which could be removed. Another key feature is that the meter itself, as well as the protective cover, is made from plastic, which has no scrap value. In addition, the meter will have the capability to detect any tilts or movement and an alert will be generated immediately to the City.
Real value
“The real value of these smart water meters isn’t in their material components, but rather in the value of the data that they provide and transmit. It’s also commendable that the meter is designed to have a 15-year life span.”
What to expect when the meter on your 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, show an embedded photograph of the staff member or contractor.
-In addition, contractors are required to arrive in marked vehicles, wear company-branded uniforms and the required personal protective equipment (PPE).
-If unsure, residents are encouraged to call and verify contractor and City staff, by contacting the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089. You may also request the service order number to cross check and validate.
