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Kannaland
South Africa
South Africa
Water By-law, 2003
- Published in Western Cape Provincial Gazette no. 6033 on 20 June 2003
- Commenced on 20 June 2003
- [This is the version of this document from 20 June 2003 and includes any amendments published up to 3 February 2023.]
Part I
1. Definitions
In these regulations, unless inconsistent with the context—"approved" means approved by the local authority;"local authority" means the municipal council;"plumbing system" means a system of pipes and water receptacles (including the necessary fittings) intended for the distribution on any land or premises of water supplied by the local authority direct from its water main;"plumbing work" shall not include the clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fittings, or the provision of extra taps or branches to a plumbing system on the consumer’s side of the meter.Part II
2. Registrastion of plumbers and contractors
3. Local authority to be notified of completion of plumbing work
Every person, other than a person referred to in Regulation 2(1)(a)(ii), who proposes to carry out any plumbing work in connection with the installation, alteration or repair of a plumbing system, shall within 48 hours of commencing such work notify the local authority of his intension, specifying the place where the work was executed. On completion thereof he shall, within 48 hours, likewise notify the local authority of such fact.Part III
4. Application for water supply
5. Compulsory water supply
6. Meters
7. Computing quantity of water supplied
Where a meter is installed a person shall be deemed to have been supplied with the quantity of water registered by the meter; provided that for the period a meter is out of order the quantity supplied shall be estimated on the basis of the quantity supplied uninterruptedly for the three months nearest to such period, either previous or subsequent thereto, as the local authority may determine.8. Testing of water meter
9. Responsibility for plumbing system
10. Cutting off water supply
11. Defect in water or failure in supply
The local authority shall not be liable for any damages resulting from a defect in the quality of the water supplied or from a failure to supply water or to supply it at a specified pressure.12. Storage tanks to be maintained at high levels
No water shall be supplied to premises situated above a level that can be served by the normal pressure from the water main of the local authority unless the owner of such premises provides and maintains in a satisfactory manner a self-contained and automatically-controlled pumping system together with a tank capable of holding not less than half a day’s supply of water for such premises. Such plant and storage tank may be inspected and the water supply from the tank tested chemically and bacteriologically as required by the local authority. The supply of water drawn from the water main to be metered on the suction side of the pumping installation.13. Waste, misuse or contamination of water
14. Protection against pollution of water
No person shall—15. Public fountains and troughs
No person shall use the water from—16. Water not to be drawn from place near meter
No person shall—17. Pumping and automatic discharging apparatuses
No person shall install—18. Installation of suitable plumbing system
No water shall be supplied to any land or premises not previously so supplied and no connection shall be made between the local authority’s water main and the plumbing system on such land or premises unless the local authority is satisfied that such plumbing system is suitable for the distribution of the water and complies with the requirements prescribed by these regulations.Part IV
19. Plumbing system to be installed in accordance with prescribed requirements
A. Fittings
20. Drinking fountains
Drinking fountains shall be so constructed that they can be fitted separately, and be readily cleaned. The water orifice shall be of the shielded type and shall be above the extreme overflow level of the bowl. Means for regulating the flow of water shall be provide.21. Hot water cylinders and tanks and flow and return pipes
Hot water cylinders shall be of galvanized mild steel, hard rolled copper or other approved metal. They shall be either double seamed, lap jointed, welded, brazed, or riveted and shall be fitted with screwed bosses for feed, flow and return pipes. Both the top and bottom of cylinders shall be dished.Note: Maximum working head of water shall not exceed 70 percent, test head of cylinder. The working head shall be measured from the bottom of the cylinder to the water level in the supply cistern.22. Storage tanks and cisterns
Storage tanks or cisterns shall be of an approved pattern and shall be provided with an approved ball-valve; the ball-valve shall be connected to the inlet pipe and secured to the side of the cistern. Every storage tank or cistern shall be properly ventilated and constructed in such a manner as to admit of easy inspection and repair, by the provision of large manholes fitted with approved covers to exclude dust. Each outlet feed pipe from such storage tanks or cisterns whether fixed in the bottom or in the side shall end at least 50 mm above the bottom of the tank or cistern and such outlet pipe shall be controlled by a fullway valve placed in a suitable accessible position. The storage tank or cistern shall be provided with an overflow pipe of such size as to adequately discharge, in the event of overflow occurring, the full volume of water flowing therein; the top of the overflow pipe must be 40 mm from the top of such tank, or cistern, and the inlet ball-valve so adjusted that it will be shut when the water is 50 mm from the top of the overflow pipe, or from the top of the tank or cistern and so as not to become submerged when the tank or cistern is full.All storage tanks or cisterns fixed inside a building shall in addition be set upon a suitable safety tray constructed of corrosion-resistant metal, such tray must project at least 150 mm beyond the outer edge of the tank or cistern and shall have the edges turned up a minimum height of 50mm and shall be provided with a watertight overflow pipe of not less diameter than the overflow pipe from the tank or cistern, and such overflow pipe shall be laid to fall to discharge freely into the open air in such a position that any discharge can be readily seen.All cisterns shall be substantially made and impermeable to water and of a material resistant to the action of water and such as will not pollute water.23. Connection with drainage system prohibited
A plumbing system shall be connected with a drainage system in such a way as to make the backflow or siphonage of any liquid into the water distribution system possible.24. Pipes and associated fittings
Water pipes shall be of galvanized steel, drawn lead or copper and shall be free from defects.Threaded fittings shall be of copper, brass, malleable cast iron or galvanized mild steel and shall be of recessed pattern iron or galvanized mild steel and shall be of recessed pattern with smooth interior waterways and with threads tapped out of solid metal. Mild steel and malleable cast iron fittings shall be galvanized both internally and externally.Pipes and fittings which have been used for any purpose other than water distribution shall not be used in a plumbing system.The name and registered trademark of the markers shall be stamped, on all valves and taps.All fittings shall comply with the specifications prescribed by the South African Bureau of Standards.B. Installation
25. Supports
Strap hangers may be used for all pipes of a diameter up to 50 mm ring hangers shall be used for all pipes of a greater size. Hangers shall be of corrosion resistant metal of heavy pattern and shall be securely attached to the building construction. Pipes, except those laid in the ground, shall be securely fixed at frequent intervals to that portion of the wall or other rigid portion of the structure along which they pass. Watertight joints shall be made at the junction of fitting with walls or floors.26. Expansion bolts
Connection of wall hangers, pipe supports or fitting settings with masonry, brickwork, stone or concrete backing shall be made with expansion bolts without the use of wooden plugs.27. Access to plumbing system
28. Electrolytic action
There shall be no connection between metal pipes and cisterns or tanks of dissimilar metal where, in the opinion of the local authority, such association of dissimilar metals may set up electrolytic action. All parts of the plumbing system shall after installation or repairs be left clean of metal filings, loose solder or other materials liable to cause electrolytic action.C. Water pipes
29. Joints
If water pipes are constructed of—30. Connections of water pipes
The connection between water pipes shall be made in the manner and with the jointing materials hereinafter prescribed, or otherwise in an approved manner, and with approved materials, and so as to preserve the continuity of the pipe without obstruction, namely:—31. Bends in pipes
Bends or curves in pipes shall be made so as not to diminish or alter the internal diameter of the pipes in any part.D. Distribution system
32. Distribution
Every plumbing system shall be entirely independent of any other piping system and no connection shall be made or condition permitted whereby any foreign matter might enter such system, whether by gravity, siphonage, leakage or back pressure.33. Cross connection between different sources of water supply
Water supplied from the water main and water supplied from any other source shall be distributed through systems entirely independent of each other, and any cross connection between such supplies is prohibited.34. Prohibited direct connections
No plumbing system shall by means of a pipe be connected directly to any water closet, urinal, steam or hot water boiler, closed water heater, trade vessel or apparatus. Every such closet, urinal, steam or hot water boiler, closed water heater, trade vessel or apparatus shall be fed separately and directly from a cistern installed solely for that purpose.35. Adequancy of water supply
The plumbing system shall be of a sufficient size to permit a continuous flow of water from all outlets at one time. In no case shall any water pipe be allowed the internal diamter which is less than 12,5 mm. Sufficient water shall be available to keep all plumbing fittings in a clean and sanitary condition.36. Frost protection
Exposed water pipes shall be adequately frost protected by suitable insulative lagging.37. Stop-cocks and full-way valves
Stop-cocks and fulway valves shall be provided and installed as follows:—Within the boundary and on the property side of the meter where installed.Inside the building to enable shutting off of the supply from every fitting in the building.For each flat or separate family section of the building.For each cistern or valve feeding soil fittings.For each storage tank.For each outlet pipe of each storage tank.By the local authority outside the property and which shall not be used or worked by anyone else, but the local authority.38. Relief valves
Whenever a check valve, water meter or pressure regulating valve is installed on the water supply pipe, between the street main and a hot water tank, a suitable relief valve shall be installed on the hot water distribution system.39. Boilers and machinery
No boiler, hydraulic engine or other apparatus liable to cause shock or vibration to any of the water pipes shall take a direct supply from the water main, but shall be supplied from an intermediate suitable tank with the supply controlled by a float valve.40. Watering troughs
Every pipe supplying water to a watering trough for animals shall be provided with a ball-cock or other equally suitable waste-preventing appliance fixed in a separate compartment, satisfactorily covered and protected.41. Protection against results of water stoppage
Protection shall be provided in the installation of any device connected with a plumbing system to obviate the possibility of an accident or variation in the quality of the water occurring due to an interruption of the water supply.42. Separate service to flats
Every building containing flats shall, if the local authority so requires, have a separate service for each floor or flat.43. Meters
Ameter shall not be encased in concrete, stone or brickwork in such a manner that it cannot be read or entirely removed.44. Points of discharge
45. Taps for domestic and drinking purposes
Other than those discharging from the hot water system, taps to supply water for domestic or drinking purposes shall be connected to a pipe in the plumbing system at a point before such pipe enters a cistern and shall not be supplied from any cistern; provided that in buildings where a water supply is required above the level at which a regular and adequate supply is available from the water mains, the supply may be taken from a tank or cistern constructed in accordance with these regulations.46. Depth of cover and position of pipes
47. Pipes shall not be laid where liable to pollution or excessive corrosion
48. Alignment and support of water pipes
Pipes shall be laid to avoid sags and air pockets and shall be supported in such a manner as to maintain correct alignment.49. Water piping trenches
Pipes shall not be laid in the same trench as the drainage system, provided that where this is impractical the water piping may be laid on well tamped back-fill at least 300 mm above the top of the drain and at least 300 mm to the side of the centre line of the drain.50. Proximity of plumbing system of electric wires
51. Stand pipes and other projecting pipes
Stand pipes or other pipes projecting above the ground and not otherwise secured to any structure shall be securely fixed to a stake securely driven into the ground, or by other approved means.52. Stop ends of lead pipes
Wherever a stop end is made in a lead pipe, such stop end shall be properly closed and soldered.53. Storage tanks and cisterns
54. Hot water apparatus
55. Cistern in ground
No cistern buried or installed in the ground shall be used for the storage or reception of water supplied by the local authority and intended for human consumption.56. Pressure on plumbing system
Part V – Sundries
History of this By-law
-
20 June 2003 this version
Published in Western Cape Provincial Gazette no. 6033By-law commences.
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