No — the Plumbing CoC applies only within the City of Cape Town municipal area under By-law No. 14 of 2010. It is not required in Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, or any other municipality. Within the City’s boundaries — which include Somerset West, Strand, Brackenfell, Table View, and all suburbs between — the Plumbing CoC is mandatory for every property transfer regardless of property type or value.

6 months only — the shortest validity of all CoC types in South Africa. If your transfer is delayed and the certificate expires, a new inspection is required. We recommend obtaining the Plumbing CoC no more than 60–90 days before your expected transfer registration date to give a comfortable buffer without risking expiry.

Completed certificates must be submitted to the City of Cape Town Water and Sanitation Department at [email protected]. We submit directly to the City on your behalf as part of our service — you, your estate agent, and your conveyancer all receive a copy simultaneously.

No — only a plumber with a valid City of Cape Town Plumbing Registration Number may legally issue a Plumbing CoC. This is separate from a PIRB (Plumbing Industry Registration Board) or general trade qualification. Always verify City registration before booking. All our plumbers carry their City registration numbers, which are printed on every certificate.

A complete PRV supply and installation typically costs between R900 and R1,600 depending on access difficulty, existing pipework configuration, and whether an isolating valve and pressure gauge are fitted simultaneously. The PRV is set to ≤400 kPa. Many older Cape Town homes have never had a PRV installed, particularly in areas that historically had low mains pressure — though mains pressure has increased in many suburbs as the network has been upgraded.

Yes — solar geysers and heat pump water heaters are covered by the inspection. Cold water supply connections, pressure controls (PRV, vacuum breaker), and overflow provisions must comply with the Water By-law regardless of the geyser’s energy source. Correctly installed solar geysers — especially those installed professionally after 2010 — generally comply easily.

No — the Plumbing CoC covers the water supply system and hot water installation for compliance with the City By-law. It does not cover drain blockages, drain camera inspections, or the structural condition of sewer lines. Blocked or damaged drains are a separate maintenance issue. Address drainage problems independently as they may affect marketability even if they do not fail the Plumbing CoC.

A single dripping tap wastes approximately 40–50 litres per day (15,000–18,000 litres per year). A running toilet cistern wastes up to 200 litres per day. This is precisely why the City By-law requires all leaks to be repaired before a certificate can be issued. Fixing all visible drips before your inspection is one of the simplest ways to pass first time.

Yes — if your borehole is connected to the household plumbing, it must have: (1) backflow prevention to stop borehole water from entering the municipal supply; (2) all outlets labelled “NOT DRINKING WATER”; and (3) correct isolation from the potable water system. An unprotected borehole connection constitutes a cross-connection non-compliance. A borehole pumping only to a separate garden irrigation system with no household connection typically does not affect the CoC.

A leaking geyser tank (corroded or cracked) typically requires replacement before a certificate can be issued — it is both a water wastage and a safety issue. A continuously open safety valve suggests either the PRV pressure setting is too high or the safety valve itself needs replacement — both are correctable without replacing the geyser. We assess and advise on the most cost-effective solution during inspection, and can arrange emergency geyser replacement through our preferred plumbing suppliers at competitive rates.

To pass, the fixed water installation must comply with SANS 10252-1 and the City of Cape Town Water By-law: the water meter must register accurately with no unmetered supply, there must be no cross-connection between potable and borehole or grey water, no stormwater may drain into the sewer, the geyser must have a working safety valve, vacuum breaker and overflow/drip tray (per SANS 10254), all fittings must be leak-free, and a water demand management device must be fitted where the City requires one.

Book a City of Cape Town-registered plumber to inspect your fixed water installation. We confirm your appointment within about 2 hours, inspect against SANS 10252-1 and the City Water By-law, carry out any minor remedials, and email your Plumbing CoC within 24 hours of a pass. Call 076 157 8456 or request a quote above to start.

Unlike an electrical CoC, the City of Cape Town’s plumbing (water installation) Certificate of Compliance is transaction-based: a valid certificate is required each time a property is sold and transferred. There is no fixed multi-year expiry, but if plumbing work is done after issue, a fresh certificate is needed for the next transfer — most conveyancers require one issued shortly before registration.

Yes. The City of Cape Town Water By-law makes a plumbing (water installation) Certificate of Compliance compulsory before a property transfer can register within the City’s boundaries. It is separate from, and additional to, the electrical CoC required nationally under the OHS Act.