Municipality rolls out conventional water meter replacement project

Ageing infrastructure, dysfunctional prepaid water meters, illegal connections, vandalism to infrastructure, and servicing areas that are not metered have been causing major revenue losses for Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM).

In a statement issued by MCLM, they said they are under immense strain to regain the required revenue for water being supplied to customers.

“Currently, a menial 40% of the total water purchased is collected due to these areas of loss, which in turn makes it unattainable to service our Rand Water monthly debt. Although Water Services has in the past, installed prepaid water meters to enable consumers to buy water up front on a pay-as-you-go basis, these prepaid meters have proven to be costly compared to conventional water meters.”

The reasons for this are as follows:
• Largely because of faulty meters (eg leaks) resulting in high water losses
• These meters are non-durable, thus they have a shorter lifespan
• It has complex technological features that come with high maintenance and cost of repairs, eg annual costs total R8.5 million including repairs, maintenance, and replacement of faulty prepaid meters
• Municipality dealing with endless, end-user complaints on high billing
• Allocated budget only covers 7% of the 34 000 faulty prepaid water meters resulting in a 93% repairs and replacement backlog
• These meters are easily by-passed resulting in major revenue and water losses

• Also read: Date announced for new prepaid water meter upgrade

To overcome these growing challenges, the municipality will be rolling out a phased water meter project to replace prepaid meters with conventional meters.

“Once meters are converted, consumers will be billed for their consumption monthly guided by their respective meter readings.”

The benefits of the new conventional meters will mean they are more reliable, cannot be easily bypassed, are durable, and allow for on-site maintenance and repairs which will lead to lower costs.

“This project will not only ensure a major portion of our water losses are overcome but it will also assist in building a more sustainable water supply system to the benefit of residents, businesses, and investment which augurs well for job creation and growth of the local city economy.”

The target for replacements is estimated at 3 000 to 3 500 between November this year and June 2024.

“The municipality, therefore, requests the co-operation of residents and businesses by allowing access to identifiable water technicians onto their properties for new meter installations while also thanking them in advance for their co-operation in ensuring the project is rolled out as hassle-free as possible.”