Your Cosmopolitan Projects home's prepaid water meter lets you buy and load water tokens whenever you need to, and most low-water-pressure issues can be fixed in minutes by cleaning the tap aerator. This guide covers how the meter works, how to buy and load tokens, and how to troubleshoot pressure problems, including when to call the municipality instead of a plumber. It's part of the monthly running costs covered in our Practical Guide to Owning a Home.
How Does a Water Meter Work?
A prepaid water meter measures your water usage against tokens you've loaded, rather than billing you after the fact - the same principle as your prepaid electricity meter. Your client handover pack (given to you with your keys) includes:
- Your prepaid water meter keypad
- Instructions on how the meter works
- Your registered water account number, printed on the back of the keypad and registered by the municipality
Vendors can also scan the card version of this number to pull up your account when you buy water. Some handover packs include a preloaded token so there's already credit on the meter when you move in, and your initial meter reading is recorded on your handover tick sheet.
How to Buy Prepaid Water Online
The simplest way to buy prepaid water online is through your banking app. Look under the "utilities" section of the menu, the exact wording differs by bank, but "water" is usually listed there. Once purchased, you'll receive a token number to load onto your meter.
How to Load a Water Token on Your Prepaid Meter
- Press 1 on the keypad to power it on.
- Press 2 to select the token input option.
- Enter the token number from your purchase receipt.
- Press Enter.
- Hold the keypad close to the physical water meter while it loads. Placing it directly on top of the meter helps it pair successfully.
- Keep the keypad switched on until loading is complete. The new reading will then show on the keypad.
Mandatory Purchase Frequency and Free Water
- You receive one free water token per month, but only when you make a paid purchase that month. Your first buy of the month gives you two token numbers (paid and free), and both need to be loaded.
- Municipalities work on a 60-day purchase cycle. If you don't buy water within 60 days, your meter will be blocked (even if you still have water credit) because the system needs to see regular transactions.
- A blocked meter can only be reconnected at the municipal offices; this isn't something Cosmopolitan Projects can assist with.
Fixing Low Water Pressure
Start with the Aerator
Most low water pressure issues come from a blocked aerator. A small flow regulator fitted to the tap that adds air to the water stream to keep pressure feeling normal without increasing actual flow. This is part of the EDGE-certified water efficiency design used across our developments. To clean it:
- Unscrew the aerator by hand, or with an adjustable wrench wrapped in cloth to avoid scratching the tap.
- Rinse it clean, or soak it in water and white vinegar for about 30 minutes and brush with an old toothbrush for stubborn debris.
- Reassemble the aerator.
- Screw it back onto the mixer tap and test the flow.
If Pressure Drops Throughout the House
When the problem isn't limited to one tap, it isn't the aerator. Work through this instead:
- Ask your neighbours. It's a municipal supply problem if they have the same issue. Report it to your local municipality directly, since they manage water infrastructure and repair timelines, not Cosmopolitan Projects.
- If it's isolated to your property, check for a leak:
- Close every indoor and outdoor tap.
- Isolate your geyser if possible.
- Check whether the digits on your water meter are still moving.
- If they are, inspect the toilet cistern, taps, exposed pipework, and any damp wall areas near pipework for visible leaks.
- No visible leak but the digits keep moving means the leak is underground.
- Call a professional plumber to repair any leak you find. This isn't a DIY fix.
Plumbing faults are covered under your home's 12-month emergency repair warranty if the leak is on your property. After this period, repairs and maintenance become your responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix low water pressure from one tap?
Unscrew and clean the tap's aerator; soaking it in water and vinegar for 30 minutes usually clears blockages that reduce flow.
How regularly do I need to buy prepaid water?
At least once every 60 days, or your meter will be blocked by the municipal system regardless of remaining credit.
Do I get free water every month?
Yes, one free token per month, but only when you also make a paid purchase that month.
What do I do if my water pressure drops across the whole house?
Check with neighbours first. If they're affected too, report it to the municipality. If it's just your property, check your meter for signs of a leak.
