BWB covers 3 500 customers in pre-paid meters project

Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has connected close to 3 500 customers to pre-paid billing system in Soche East, Nkolokosa, New Naperi, Chinyonga and Chitawira townships.

Currently, the water utility is installing pre-paid meters in Kanjedza as part of the ongoing pre-paid meter project.

This year, BWB embarked on a K950 million pre-paid meter project to connect 5 000 customers by December this year.

In an e-mail response, BWB public affairs officer Priscilla Mateyu said the board is also in the process of procuring 10 000 more pre-paid meters this financial year.

She said: “We have also expanded our pre-paid metering purchase points for credit. Our customers can also purchase water credit at [BWB] Limbe Service Centre from Mondays to Fridays.

“We have also extended opening times for the Soche Service Centre from Monday to Sunday to ensure that customers have convenience when it comes to this pre-paid metering system.”

Mateyu said unavailability of owners at premises during installation is affecting the rollout as it is imperative that customers are educated on proper usage of the meter.

She said BWB is encouraging customers to contact BWB staff if they have queries relating to usage of pre-paid meters.

In an earlier statement at the commencement of the exercise, project team leader Linda Makwiza said pre-paid meters will be pre-loaded with two cubic meters or 2 000 litres of water which will be recovered when purchasing the water credit. n