BWB migrates 600 to prepaid meters

Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has so far migrated about 600 customers in Mudi and New Naperi residential estates from post-paid to pre-paid billing meters in its initial trials which started in 2013.

The board said it has since procured 7 500 more pre-paid meters to be installed in other areas within Blantyre.

BWB public affairs officer Priscilla Mateyu, in a written response to a questionnaire,  said the board also plans to procure about 10 000 more pre-paid meters in the 2016/2017 financial year.

“Currently, the board has 45 000 customers and it intends to migrate all customers from post-paid to pre-paid metering system within the next seven years. So far, BWB has spent about K37 million ($51 604) for the New Naperi and Mudi customers.

“The board will spend about K615 million [$857 741] for the new 7 500 and another K1.1 billion for the pre-paid meters which will be purchased during the 2016/2017 financial year,” said Mateyu.

Chisomo Chinthambi, a resident of Naperi who now uses a prepaid meter, speaking in an interview, expressed satisfaction with the new billing system.