Learn about water servitudes, pipeline protection, and why preventing encroachment is critical for reliable water supply to our communities.
Encroachments on water pipelines and servitudes put lives at risk, disrupt water supply to thousands of households, and damage critical infrastructure worth millions of rands. Help us protect these essential systems.
A water servitude is a legal right-of-way that allows Amatola Water to access, maintain, repair, and replace water pipelines and related infrastructure. These servitudes run beneath and above ground across properties, farms, and communal land.
Servitude areas are typically marked with beacons or signage. They must remain clear and accessible to ensure:
Encroachments on water infrastructure take many forms, each posing risks to operations and safety.
Permanent structures built on or near servitudes, including:
Temporary or informal structures built on servitudes, including:
Pipeline ruptures can cause explosions, flooding, and injuries. Unauthorized digging near pipelines can be catastrophic.
Encroachments compromise operations, leading to water outages affecting thousands of households and businesses.
Infrastructure damage can be expensive to repair. Residents risk property damage and financial loss.
Water servitudes are often marked with:
Verify servitude locations:
Have you noticed an encroachment on water infrastructure? Help us protect critical pipelines and report suspicious activity immediately.
Call Our Infrastructure Team
Available 24/7 for emergency reports
Email Detailed Information
infrastructure@amatolawater.co.za