Kampala Water’s (KW) management is at the forefront of driving growth, customer satisfaction, and ensuring a sustainable consistent water supply. The region recently convened a gathering of its diverse teams at the Jinja Road offices to brainstorm ideas and establish strategies for optimizing performance. Eng. Francis Kateeba, the Senior Manager of Water Supply, chaired the meeting and highlighted critical issues such as exposed pipes, defective meters, and aged equipment, which contribute to water losses.
However, the primary focus of the three-hour discussion was on reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW). According to data collected by the Water Loss Unit, billing has shown a 3% growth. Consequently, the projected NRW figures for July are estimated to fall between 39% to 41%. Recognizing the challenge of NRW, the management plans to introduce a cutting-edge high-tech system that will monitor NRW performance at all levels, from branches to territories.
Mr. Gys Van Mes from VEI, an initiative of Dutch water operators, emphasized that the NRW dashboard would function as an artificial intelligence tool to monitor and visually display performance metrics, including water supply, meter and leakage management, and water sales. The system will process data and provide clear figures to guide decision-making.
To combat NRW effectively, Ms. Sharon Busingye, the Manager of WALOPU, revealed that 77 accounts were identified as illegal this month. She emphasized the need for individuals to be vigilant about accounts claiming to have alternative water sources. The Ag Senior Manager of NRW, Ms. Freda Bugenyi, echoed similar concerns, attributing significant losses to metering inefficiency. She highlighted the progress of the meter testing bench, which is nearing completion, and announced practical training on the new monitoring system.
During the meeting, several departmental updates were shared. The Kyengera-Kitemu Project is nearly 95% complete, while the installation of an improvised pump in Banda-Kireka will be finished this week. Additionally, testing of panels at Namasuba reservoir is scheduled for this week, with a brief shutdown on Wednesday to complete repairs on transmission. The company has installed four smart meters in different localities and a data concentrator Unit at Head Office in Nakasero, enhancing their monitoring capabilities.
Eng. Mahmood Lutaaya, the General Manager of Kampala Water, joined the meeting with enthusiasm after appearing on a morning show at UBC. Addressing customer complaints, he had gathered, he stressed the importance of improving customer relations to uphold the corporation’s reputation. Lutaaya urged the teams to bury exposed pipes and create a task force to monitor pipes swallowed by Mapkit and audit the distance covered by each branch. He emphasized transparency in meter handling as a crucial element to nurture within the staff.
Kampala Water’s unwavering commitment to growth, customer satisfaction, and minimizing water loss sets it apart. By embracing advanced technologies, nurturing a culture of transparency, and prioritizing preventive measures, KW continues to excel and secure a sustainable future for the region.
