Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Services — East London
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) covers East London, King William's Town (Bhisho), Mdantsane, Berlin, and surrounding areas in the Eastern Cape. BCMM provides electricity, water, sanitation, refuse removal, and rates. This guide covers how to report faults, manage your account, access indigent support, and contact the municipality.
Buffalo City Key Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| Toll-free call centre (faults and queries) | 0800 000 150 |
| Electricity faults (24/7) | 0800 000 150 or 043 705 1900 |
| Water faults (24/7) | 0800 000 150 |
| Emergency (fire, ambulance) | 10177 or 043 722 7500 |
| e-Services portal | buffalocity.gov.za |
Electricity
- BCMM provides electricity to residents in East London and King William's Town.
- Report outages on the toll-free number 0800 000 150 or 043 705 1900.
- Purchase prepaid electricity from retailers, ATMs, and banking apps.
- New electricity connections and upgrades: apply at the Buffalo City Electricity Department offices.
- Account queries and disputes: contact 0800 000 150 or visit a customer service centre.
Water and Sanitation
- Report water leaks, burst mains, and sewer problems on 0800 000 150 (toll-free, 24/7).
- Free basic water (6 kl per month) is available to registered indigent households.
- Water interruption notices are published on buffalocity.gov.za.
- Meter reading submissions and billing queries: contact 0800 000 150 or visit a customer service centre in East London CBD.
Refuse Collection
- Standard refuse collection operates on a weekly schedule — collect from kerb on your designated day.
- Report missed collections or illegal dumping on 0800 000 150.
- Bulky waste removal: contact the municipality to schedule a special collection.
- Recycling facilities are limited — check buffalocity.gov.za for current options.
Rates, Indigent Register, and Clearance Certificates
- Pay your account via EFT, at banks, or at BCMM cashier offices in East London and King William's Town.
- View and manage your account at buffalocity.gov.za.
- Register for the indigent programme at any BCMM customer service centre — bring ID, proof of residence, and proof of income.
- Rates clearance certificates: apply at the Revenue department — all accounts must be settled first.