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Water and Sanitation Billing: What You Need to Know

As South Africans prepare for the new year, it’s important to understand how water and sanitation billing works, especially since seasonal travel and increased household activity can affect your monthly charges.

Municipal billing systems can be complex, but with the right information, you can manage your usage and avoid unexpected costs.

How Water Tariffs Are Structured

Most South African municipalities use a step tariff system for water billing. This means:

  • The first few kilolitres (kℓ) of water are charged at a lower rate.
  • As consumption increases, the rate per kℓ rises.
  • Tariffs are determined by your property type and local municipality.
  • Minimum monthly charges apply regardless of water usage, which can be confusing for residents who are away or using very little water.

Billing periods can also cause confusion, if your December bill seems high, check your billing period before worrying.

Water and sanitation services are billed in arrears, meaning the bill you receive reflects past usage.

Here is how the billing cycle typically works:

Bill ReceivedStatement DateConsumption PeriodPayment Due
20 October 2025202511September 20254 November 2025
20 November 2025202512October 20254 December 2025
20 December 2025202601November 20254 January 2026
20 January 2026202602December 20254 February 2026

Note: If your December bill appears unusually high, it likely reflects November’s consumption, not your current usage.

Fixed Monthly Charges Still Apply

Even if your property was vacant or your taps were closed, certain charges will still appear on your account. These include:

  • Fixed water charges
  • Monthly sewer charges
  • Water demand levy (where applicable)
  • Water administration fees

These are standard service charges, not linked to actual water usage, and are billed monthly regardless of consumption.

Smart Tips for the Season Ahead

Whether you have been traveling or stayed home this festive season, a few proactive steps can help you manage your water bill:

  • Monitor your water meter before and after your trip to detect possible leaks.
  • Submit accurate meter readings if a Meter Reader cannot access your property.
  • Close non-essential water valves (for toilets, washing machines, and sprinkler systems).
  • Switch off your geyser to save electricity and prevent unnecessary water heating.

Plan Ahead with MidCity Utilities

With MidCity Utilities, managing your water and sanitation billing is easier and more transparent.

Whether you’re still off on an adventure or already started the year, staying informed helps you avoid surprises, save money, and make smarter utility decisions.

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How can I purchase pre-paid electricity?

By making use of one of the following:

  • MidCity Utilities App

  • MidCity Utilities Website

  • Internet Banking

  • Unipin vouchers
  • Unipin vouchers can be purchased at registered retailers, garages and other suppliers.
  • When providing your pre-paid meter number to the cashier, the pre-paid purchase will transfer over to the meter automatically.

  • If you do not provide your meter number to the cashier and you receive the voucher slip, you must follow the steps as set out thereon.

  • Make sure you are using the correct meter number.
  • After registering with MidCity Utilities for pre-paid electricity, our Customer Care Personnel will SMS you your meter number.

  • When you register for the Mobile App or on our website, you will also be able to see your meter number.

  • Clients who also request to receive monthly statements, even though they are on pre-paid, will be able to see their meter number on their monthly statement.

  • Contact our Customer Care Personnel.
  • Log in to either our Mobile App or website.

  • SMS the word Balance (space) meter number to 37823. You will receive an SMS with your meter balance and predicted zero balance date.

  • Use your keypad, if you have one.
  • Yes. A low balance notification will be sent to the registered cell phone number that is loaded onto our system.

  • The low balance notification will be sent 48 hours before the calculated depletion date.

  • The depletion date received on the low balance notification, Mobile App or website is an estimation and depends on a client’s consumption habits and changes.

Mobile App or Website

  • The final step in the process on the Mobile App or website will indicate if the transaction was successful.

  • Transfer of credits to the meter can take approximately 10 minutes after the purchase is completed successfully.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Internet Banking

  • Confirmation of transaction is provided by your banking service.

  • You will receive an SMS or email with the value of the token as well as the 20-digit code already loaded on your meter.

  • Purchases through Internet Banking can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.

Unipin voucher

  • After following the process reflected on the voucher with your cell phone, you will receive confirmation and notification on your device.

  • Purchases through Unipin vouchers can take approximately 30 minutes to transfer over to the meter.

  • On the Mobile App, website or SMS balance enquiry, it can take between 30 minutes to an hour to update the effective current balance after a purchase was made.