Assessing the impact of pre -paid metering at Blantyre Water board

Abstract

Blantyre Water Board (BWB) piloted an Information Communication and Technology-based metering system to improve its efficiency in water metering and collection of revenue. BWB did not make any deliberate plans to document results of the pilot. There are a number of salient factors which if not mitigated would affect the successful scaling up of such a new technology. This research therefore provides BWB with new knowledge on the technology transfer in water metering systems and its impact on service provision. The research specifically; 1) Investigated how the transfer from post- paid to pre-paid metering technology has affected efficiency of operations of BWB; and 2) Determined the factors that need refining before starting of the next installation phase. In the absence of documentation on the pilot, this research has filled the gap and provided new knowledge and insight that will inform BWB on the challenges and opportunities associated with pre-paid water metering technology’s future scaling-up strategies. The research adopted an exploratory study through literature review, interviewing key informants and administering a structured questionnaire to consumers. Data collected was coded using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and frequencies, means and variances were analysed with meanings of outcomes determined and interpreted. The key research findings are that: 1) BWB has experienced increased revenue collections and has done away with arrears; 2) BWB has observed a reduction in operational costs and is able to save funds; 3) Households are able to monitor, control and budget their monthly water bills; and 4) Some operational aspects e.g. monitoring and credit selling need refining before commencement of the next installation phase. The research concludes that pre-paid metering has a significant impact on the operations of BWB. It has helped improve the efficiency in water metering and collection of revenue but there is need also to improve some operational aspects. The research recommends BWB to have adequate trained staff, adopt better cost recovery options, enhance monitoring and improve credit selling options. In future, BWB should consider research on pre-paid meter performance in high density areas, conduct a comparative technology study among several water boards and look at the best options for pre-paid meter hardware and software.