City of Cape Town Municipal Services — Complete Guide
The City of Cape Town (CoCT) is a well-regarded metropolitan municipality known for relatively efficient service delivery and a strong digital platform. It provides electricity, water and sanitation, refuse removal, and rates services. This guide covers all essential contacts, the CoCT app, e-services portal, water tariffs, and how to access assistance for low-income households.
City of Cape Town Key Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| CoCT General Enquiries | 0860 103 089 |
| Emergency (fire, ambulance) | 107 (from landline) or 021 480 7700 |
| Water and sanitation faults (24/7) | 0860 103 089 |
| Electricity faults (24/7) | 0860 103 089 |
| e-Services portal | capetown.gov.za |
| CoCT app | Available on Android and iOS |
Electricity in Cape Town
The City of Cape Town manages its own electricity distribution for most of the metro. Eskom supplies some outlying areas. Cape Town has been investing in alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on Eskom and load shedding.
- Report power outages via the CoCT app, online at capetown.gov.za, or call 0860 103 089.
- Check the load shedding schedule specific to your suburb at capetown.gov.za/loadshedding.
- Apply for solar panel feed-in (for residents with solar installations) via the CoCT e-services portal.
- New electricity connections: apply online at capetown.gov.za or at a walk-in Thusong centre.
- Prepaid electricity vouchers are available at retailers, banks, and ATMs.
Water: Tariffs, Restrictions, and Day Zero
Cape Town experienced a severe water crisis in 2017–2018, coming close to Day Zero (when taps would be turned off). Water restrictions and conservation consciousness remain part of Cape Town life.
Cape Town uses a stepped tariff system — higher consumption is charged at a higher rate to encourage conservation. Households in the lowest consumption bracket pay a reduced rate.
- Check your water consumption at capetown.gov.za/accounts.
- Report water leaks on 0860 103 089 or via the CoCT app.
- Free basic water (6 kl per month) for registered indigent households.
- Water restriction levels (if applicable) are published at capetown.gov.za/water.
Refuse Collection
- Check your refuse collection schedule at capetown.gov.za — input your street address.
- Recycling drop-off points are located across the city — find yours on the CoCT waste map.
- Report missed collections or illegal dumping via the CoCT app or call 0860 103 089.
- Green (garden) refuse: schedule a collection for your suburb online.
e-Services and the CoCT App
- Register at capetown.gov.za to manage your account, submit meter readings, pay online, and log service requests.
- The CoCT app allows you to report faults (potholes, streetlights, illegal dumping) with GPS coordinates and photos.
- Walk-in Thusong Service Centres serve residents who cannot access digital services.
- Pay your account at any bank, at major retailers, via EFT, or online.