Water loss continues to be a concern for utilities across the globe, especially in a time of increasing scarcity and climate change. It undermines utilities’ efforts from reaching their goals of full-service coverage at an affordable price.
The National Water and Sewerage Corporation for one continues to step up efforts to fight Non-Revenue Water. Recently, the corporation’s Lugazi Area launched its Non-Revenue Water Reduction Action Plan.
The event, which was presided over by a Team from the Regional Office, witnessed the Lugazi Area Management and staff renew their commitment to bring down the NRW monster, which currently stands at 19% in the area.
Operating in four branches thus; Lugazi main, Najjembe, Buikwe, and Nkonkogeru, the Lugazi Team attributes the high NRW to: Old 700Nos., defective and leaking meters, Existence of meters without non-return valves, Non-functioning control valves, Undetected bursts and leakages within the network, Malicious damage of installations – pipes and fittings, Leaking reservoir tanks, Airlocks and meter reversals, existence of semi and dry zones, Un-documented activities, Data capture errors during meter reading exercises, Illegal water use, Meter theft by scrap dealers, and Cris-crossing network by private operators/boreholes within the network.
As such, the Lugazi team has developed an eighteen (18) Point Programme, that lays strategies on how the various challenges shall be combated in order to reduce NRW some of which include; Undertaking phased replacement of the 700Nos., meter servicing, meter replacement, Investigating and engaging dormant /inactive accounts, Installation of non-revenue values to eliminate meter reversals, Intensification of monthly H2H campaigns, Phased replacement of poor quality pipes and fittings, Weekly monitoring and analysis on DMAs, Installation of pressure gauges, Sensitization of customers about stopcock replacement, Identification and deepening all exposed pipes and fittings, Clearing of the bushes along the transmission and distribution mains, Installation of air release valves and meter non-returns and, Drilling one production well in Kayanja to reduce on-air pockets within the stretched network.
The team also intends to; monitor fire hydrants weekly, Keep track of all monthly unbilled consumption activities, carry out extensive meter audits on billing exceptions, including zero readings and declining accounts, Strengthening the use and rewarding of informers, Constantly engage Police and local authorities in issues affiliated to vandalism and water theft and, effective disconnection of suppressed accounts that have spent over 6 months without getting back on supply.
Eng. Kato Kavuma (Principle Engineer – Regional Office) accompanied by Cream Treasure (Senior Public Relations Officer – Central) presided over the launch of the 18 Point Programme. In his address, Eng. Kavuma thanked the Lugazi Area Management for the well-drawn Action Plan and emphasized the need to take NRW reduction seriously. “If this was your business, would you accept losses every month? If everyone here does his/her role, then this Non-Revenue Water problem will be eliminated completely”, he said.
Eng. Kavuma on behalf of Senior Director Engineering Services (Eng.Alex Gisagara) officially launched the action plan signed by the area as a commitment to reduce NRW from 23% to 19% over the next 12 months.
