By S, KNA
Embu Water and Sanitation Company is in the process of procuring smart water meters to curb water theft and leakages at a cost of Sh40million.
Managing Director Engineer James Njeru said the company had received the funds from German Public Development Bank, KFW, channeled through Water Sector Trust Fund that will see them install 2,740 meters.
He said the new meters whose contract will be advertised in a months’ time will provide real-time usage monitoring and accurate billing for the company and consumers.
He added that the new gadgets will also reduce operational costs by doing away with manual reading thus enabling the water utility company to channel more resources into improving its services.
Additionally, the MD said their customers will also be able to track their water usage with accurate billing data leading to a transparent billing.
“The new gadgets will also help our customers understand their consumption patterns that will in turn help them change habits in terms of conservation,” he said.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting at a hotel in Embu on Tuesday, Engineer Njeru said the meters will also help in early leakage detection leading to quick response that will reduce water waste.
“Early detection and fixing of leaks in the distribution network will drastically reduce the non-revenue water loss,” he said.
Among the meters, the MD said will be 300 prepaid meters with a smart valve that will be fixed in government houses to allow for remote controls including disconnection and reconnection.
This, he said, will help them eliminate the risk of having occupants of government offices leave behind unpaid debts upon transfer.
“We want occupants of those houses to be paying before usage to eliminate the risk of them moving out without clearing their bills upon transfer, an issue that has occasioned our company huge losses,” he said.