R117 million! Correct, that is the estimated value of water lost in Mogale City over the past year due to water theft and meter tampering, a growing crisis that threatens municipal revenue, service sustainability, and fairness to paying residents. Aggravated by ever-rising unaccounted-for water, the municipality has been compelled to fast-track decisive interventions to protect water resources and avert long-term fiscal and supply risks.
Although in the past Mogale City introduced prepaid water meters to help residents manage their consumption, but tampering and system leaks have not helped as non-revenue water increased. To curb the losses and safeguard essential services, Mogale City is fast-tracking the replacement of prepaid water meters with conventional meters for residents as well as bulk meters for businesses. This intervention will replace tampered and faulty meters, curb leaks, and ensure that water consumption is accurately measured and billed.
With over 30% of water in the municipal system currently going unrecorded and translating into significant financial losses and limiting the city’s ability to maintain infrastructure and deliver services, the project will not only improve revenue collection but also enhance water security, provide reliable user data, encourage timely payment of services and create jobs during installation phase. Accurate metering is a crucial step toward a city that is financially resilient, accountable, and capable of delivering services efficiently to its residents.
The project was segmented into phases for effective financial management and is intended to:
- Replace and install 12 000 prepaid water meters with conventional meters across the city
- Connection of 600 bulk and zonal meters
- Installation of 5 Rand Water feed bulk meters
Phase 1 of the project commenced in the 2024/2025 financial year, during which 1 250 domestic conventional meters were installed in Swaneville, 165 in Munsieville, and 58 bulk residential service connections in Krugersdorp.
Building on this momentum, Phase 2 in the 2025/2026 financial year saw the replacement of 2 000 prepaid water meters with conventional meters in Azaadville. In addition, 34 bulk domestic meters were installed in Krugersdorp and Rietvallei, while 49 bulk business meters were replaced in Magaliesburg and Munsieville. Five Rand Water bulk feed meters were also installed to strengthen system monitoring and control.
Looking ahead, Phase 3, planned for the 2026/2027 financial year, will focus on replacing a further 1 750 prepaid meters with conventional meters in Azaadville. The phase also includes the replacement of 100 bulk domestic meters and structures in Rietvallei, as well as 76 bulk business meters in Munsieville and Noordheuwel.
For 2026/2027 Financial Year, Mogale City has applied for funding of R30 000 000.00 from the Department of Water and sanitation through Water Services Infrastructure Grant to complete the project.