A Water Compliance Certificate is needed to make sure that no clean water goes to waste. This certificate is required as a local by-law and only applies to properties sold where the City of Cape Town is the municipal authority.

The certification is valid for 6 months from the date of issue, or until any changes are made to the installation, and is renewable if the property is transferred to another party as per the City of Cape Town.

If changes are made to the plumbing installation, the plumber has to issue a new COC to verify that the installation adheres to city by-laws.

1. The hot water cylinder is plumbed correctly; PRV of the correct value, vacuum breakers correctly installed, emergency overflow installed with a metallic pipe, all overflows to be plumbed to the outside and discharge to atmosphere.
2. The water meter registers when a tap is open and stops completely when all taps are closed. If there is movement on the meter with all taps closed, this points to a leak somewhere on the property.
3. Terminal water fittings (i.e. taps, mixers, etc) do not leak when they are in the OFF position, and they are correctly fixed in position.
4. No storm water is discharged into the sewerage system.
5. There is no cross connection between the potable supply and any grey water system which may be installed.
6. The private isolating valve (stoptap) is in place and functioning.
7. The water pipes in the plumbing installation are properly saddled.

1. Insufficient/low water pressure: Check this with your supply authority.
2. Leaking water at the sink, toilet or basin: Leaks in the secondary or disposal system are not considered water wastage by the City of Cape Town as the water has already been used for its intended purpose and is now being disposed of. Pipes from your shower, bath, kitchen or bathroom sinks to the outside drain are not checked. If these pipes leak, it is considered normal maintenance and not a certificate issue.
3. Poor condition of plumbing fittings: Chips, cracks or discolouration of baths, sinks, showers, toilets etc. is not a concern of the City of Cape Town. Example: The toilet or flush handle is broken.
4. Blocked/Clogged drains & slow draining water: The City of Cape Town is not concerned in any way with blocked drains on your property, this is considered a normal maintenance issue, not a certificate issue.
5. Fittings or connections to appliances that leak in the ON position: The connection to washing machines, dishwashers etc. is not covered by the certificate as long as the tap is not leaking in the off position.
6. Discolouration or odour in water & overall water quality: This could be rust in the pipes or geyser, or a result of an external leak outside of your property.
7. Irrigation systems or swimming pool installations: Generally, appliances and the connections thereof are not included in the certificate. So, if your swimming pool or irrigation system leaks (i.e.sprinkler system) when in use, it is a maintenance issue.
8. Taps or fittings that are not connected to the installation: Occasionally, when a tap or some other fitting that is not connected to the water supply is found, the seller cannot be compelled to upgrade the plumbing installation.
9. No hot or cold water supply to rooms where you would normally expect both: It is not the purpose of the certificate to upgrade the plumbing installation. At times, a house may have only cold or hot water supply to a kitchen or bathroom. As long as what exists is compliant, the seller cannot be compelled to upgrade the installation.
10. Air blocks in pipes: This can occur when the water supply has been switched off for a while. Just open the taps in the house and let them run until the air has worked its way out of the system.