Every municipality must provide a basic level of service free of charge to households that cannot afford to pay. The policy exists because access to water and sanitation is a constitutional right, and because the equitable share transfer is calculated largely on the number of poor households a municipality serves.
What is normally provided free
- Water: a minimum monthly quantity per household, commonly six kilolitres.
- Electricity: a monthly allocation for qualifying households, commonly 50 kilowatt hours, where the municipality distributes electricity.
- Sanitation: a basic level of service at no charge.
- Refuse removal: a basic collection service at no charge.
Exact quantities and qualifying criteria are set by each council in its indigent policy, so they differ between municipalities.
The indigent register
To receive free basic services a household must normally be registered as indigent with the municipality. Registration usually requires proof of identity, proof of address and evidence of household income below a threshold the council sets. It is generally reviewed annually.
Why registration levels matter
Municipalities receive the equitable share partly on the basis of poor households in their area, but deliver the benefit only to households actually on the register. Where registration is low, qualifying households pay for services they were entitled to receive free, and arrears accumulate that are unlikely ever to be recovered.
The service delivery figures on each municipality profile include the number of households receiving free basic water, electricity, sanitation and refuse across five years.
How to apply
Apply at the municipal offices or through the municipality’s customer service channels. Every profile gives the switchboard number, physical address and website.
Common questions
Does everyone get free basic water?
Some municipalities apply the free basic allocation universally, others only to registered indigent households. The council’s indigent policy determines which applies in your area.
What if I earn slightly above the threshold?
Many municipalities operate a sliding scale or partial rebate rather than a hard cut-off. The threshold and any tapering are set locally.
Can arrears be written off?
Municipalities may adopt debt relief measures for indigent households as part of their credit control and indigent policies. These are council decisions and vary considerably.
Figures on this page come from National Treasury, Statistics South Africa and the Auditor-General, as set out in the sources and methodology. Read the methodology