In a pursuit to bolster their commitment to providing accessible clean water to underserved urban communities, a delegation from the Blantyre Water Board in Malawi embarked on a benchmarking journey, visiting the Urban Pro Poor branch of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (NWSC) Kampala Water (KW) region.
Led by key figures such as Mavuto Chiipanthenga, Director of Technical Services, and Priscilla Mateyu, Community Clients Officer, the Blantyre Water Board sought to collect valuable insights into the operational dynamics and best practices that have distinguished NWSC’s Urban Pro Poor services.
Upon their arrival, the Malawian delegation was graciously received by Ms. Evelyn Mukajusi, the Branch Manager-Urban Pro Poor who warmly acknowledged the crucial role of water services in impoverished urban areas. She commenced the engagement by providing a comprehensive overview of the Urban Pro Poor branch’s organizational structure.
The heart of the visit lay in a meticulous exploration of the key components of Urban Pro Poor, with a laser focus on the implementation of pre-paid meters and Public Stand Pipes (PSPs). The delegation left with a profound understanding of the two distinct types of meters in use: the tried-and-true Kent meters and the innovative Susteq PPMs, both of which play a significant role in ensuring that clean water remains accessible to all at an affordable rate of just 25 shillings per 20liter jerrycan.
The functionality of pre-paid meters was explained with a live demonstration that took place at the Kisenyi branch. These meters operate on a token system, with customers loading money onto tokens, which, when inserted, dispense water. The simplicity and efficiency of this system left a lasting impression on the visiting team.
Of particular interest was the advanced Susteq pre-paid meter, designed to complement the Kent meters. This innovation offers heightened efficiency, more versatile payment options, and seamless integration with the billing system. What truly sets it apart is its reliance on solar power, ensuring a continuous water supply even in the absence of sunlight, for up to 12 days. This sustainable and dependable feature is nothing short of a game-changer.
The benchmarking visit, which unfolded in an atmosphere of knowledge-sharing and collaboration, has proven to be invaluable for the Blantyre Water Board. The insights gained will empower them to further refine their services and effectively address the challenges that may arise in their water operations.
The visit was also graced by the presence of John-Bosco Otema, the Manager of Urban Pro Poor Services and Community Collaboration, and Ms. Prim Rose Alinaitwe, the Customer Relations Officer. Their expertise and shared experiences added depth to the engagement, reinforcing the commitment of all involved in the mission to make clean water accessible for everyone.
