Quick and Easy Guide to Reading Your Water and Electricity Meters in Johannesburg

Stay Ahead of Utility Surprises in Joburg

Whether you’re dealing with load shedding or surprise water cuts, understanding how to read your own meters puts control back in your hands. Reading your electricity and water meters isn’t just a smart way to spot problems – it can also help you catch billing errors, track your usage, and plan better for backup power or solar energy systems.

Here’s how to read your electricity and water meters in Johannesburg correctly in 2025, and why it matters more than ever.

How to Read Your Electricity Meter

Where to Find It

Your electricity meter is usually mounted outside your home or inside a secure meter box near your main electrical supply. In complexes or multi-unit buildings, look for your unit number on a shared board.

What It Shows

Electricity meters display a series of numbers in a digital or mechanical (odometer-style) format. You may see:

• A comma in the middle (e.g. 01524,7), or

• Red digits after the main number

Only the digits to the left of the comma or before the red digits count toward your billing.

How to Record It

• Write down the numbers from left to right, excluding any red digits or decimals

• These numbers represent kilowatt-hours (kWh) used

Image 1: Eskom

Also read: https://www.joburgetc.com/johannesburg/city-power-vs-eskom-joburg-electricity-2025/

How to Read Your Water Meter

Where to Find It

Water meters are usually found in a ground-level box on the pavement, near your boundary wall or sidewalk. Lift the cover to check inside – a flashlight may help.

What It Shows

Water meters display:

• Black digits – these represent kilolitres (1,000 litres each)

• Red digits – these represent litres and are not usually billed

You’re typically charged based on the black digits only.

How to Record It

• Read and write down the black digits only, from left to right

• Ignore the red numbers, though they can help detect small leaks

Image 2: Los Angeles Times

Also read: https://www.joburgetc.com/johannesburg/joburg-water-supply-2025/

Quick Tips to Avoid Billing Issues

• Read meters monthly – ideally on the same date each month

• Check for silent leaks – if the water meter spins when all taps are off, you likely have a leak

• Compare readings to bills – to catch overestimates or incorrect charges

• Submit your own readings – especially if you receive estimated bills or want accurate records

Who to Contact if There’s a Problem

If your meter is broken, unreadable, or you suspect an issue:

• Electricity Issues: Contact City Power (for municipal supply) or Eskom (if directly supplied)

• Water Issues: Reach out to Johannesburg Water for account queries, faulty meters, or access problems

You can also report service faults or confirm outages via the City of Johannesburg e-services portal or customer contact lines.

Image 3: George Herald

“Tracking your own water and electricity use doesn’t just save you money – it also gives you peace of mind in a city where every drop and kilowatt counts.”

Also read: https://www.joburgetc.com/johannesburg/joburg-infrastructure-crisis-2025/

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Source: Eskom, Prestige Metering Services

Featured Image: Sciencing