Residents in Centurion who had billing issues with the metro have shared their views on the newly launched digital water platform, which aims to improve transparency and water management.

Reneilwe Ngema from Wierda Glen Estate, who in August was allegedly overcharged on her water bill, questioned how the system would function with existing metering systems.

“I want to know how that’s going to work with the current metering systems that we have, because I think they are old, so in order for this to work, digital smart meters would have to be installed,” she said.

Ngema recalled that her August water bill was unusually high and didn’t make sense.

“I checked the consumption, which seemed correct, but noticed the total on the bill was wrong.”

She said it could have been a typo and noted that it only happened once, but raised the issue because others in her estate had experienced similar problems.

Ngema added that while real-time information from the new platform could benefit households, she remained cautious about whether it would provide full transparency, pointing out that meter readings would still require human intervention.

“It’s like prepaid electricity – you can monitor consumption and manage your pocket as well,” she said.

Valhalla resident Ebrahim Jaffer, who also was allegedly overcharged on his September water bill, welcomed the digital approach for its potential impact on water management.

“It shows the city is moving towards more data-driven management of resources, which is especially important for water, given its scarcity and growing demand.

“Having a centralised platform to monitor water consumption and losses could help both the city and residents understand water usage patterns more clearly,” he said.

Jaffer highlighted transparency as a key benefit.

“By giving residents visibility into where losses occur and how water is being distributed, creates accountability for both the municipality and households.

“In Centurion, water loss through leaks or unauthorised usage can be a problem, especially in older parts with ageing infrastructure,” he said.

Jaffer said some houses in Valhalla are almost eighty years old, and addressing these issues has historically been slow due to the lack of accurate, real-time data.

He emphasised that the platform’s success depends on resident engagement.

“If it is well advertised and residents are educated about it and find it easy to use, many will engage to monitor their consumption and report anomalies.

“Real-time water data could help households manage usage, reduce bills, and detect leaks early. For communities, it could encourage collective responsibility and faster reporting of issues, leading to quicker responses from the city.”

The residents’ feedback comes after MMC for Utility Services, Frans Boshielo, announced on October 17 that the metro had launched a state-of-the-art water balance dashboard in collaboration with Vodacom, the Strategic Water Partnership Network (SWPN) led by Dr Sean Phillips, and digital technology company Mezzanine.

Boshielo said the web-based platform is accessible via the city website and forms part of the metro’s strategy to monitor water consumption and losses, manage demand, and minimise non-revenue water.

He said the initiative supports the Department of Water and Sanitation’s No Drop Programme.

“The introduction of the digital water tower is a transformative step for Tshwane. It provides us with the opportunity to be transparent and accountable, which is fundamental to water conservation, revenue enhancement, and most critically, delivering a more reliable service.”

“Achieving ‘No Drop’ status and securing water for future generations is now a tangible, achievable target.”

He explained that the platform uses International Water Association water balance methodology to provide precise insight into water demand and losses, moving beyond the vague concept of non-revenue water.

“The dashboard will enable the city to identify areas of water demand and loss by breaking down total water supplied per distribution network.

“It will also boost public engagement by sharing data openly to help residents understand consumption patterns and foster collaborative water conservation efforts.”

Boshielo highlighted the public-private nature of the project.

“Our partnership with Vodacom, SWPN, and Mezzanine lays the foundation for a water-secure future. This initiative is about more than technology; it’s about reshaping how Tshwane stewards its most essential resource.

“By maximising water from our own dams and boreholes, every drop saved moves us closer to water security. The journey towards a sustainable Tshwane begins with this decisive action.”

Operations director for Vodacom Ventures and Partnerships, Martha Lamola, said the initiative reflects Vodacom’s social purpose.

“We understand that reliable, clean water is a critical foundation. This project puts our purpose into action, using technology and partnerships to champion water stewardship,” she said.

Alyssa Jooste, AB InBev Global Water and Nature Manager and SWPN Private Sector Co-Chair, highlighted the importance of the platform in public-private collaboration.

“The launch of this digital platform is a significant milestone for SWPN, showcasing the powerful results of genuine public-private partnership,” she said.

Jacques de Vos, CEO of Mezzanine, emphasised the operational and strategic benefits of the system.

He noted that challenges in regions like Gauteng extend beyond physical infrastructure.

“They require smart, non-infrastructure solutions that enhance revenue collection, guide strategic investment, and optimise daily operations.”

He said the digital water tower is a critical building block in this effort, providing actionable insights for informed decision-making.

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