Non-Revenue Water is a prevailing significant problem National Water and Sewerage Corporation faces especially in the Kampala Water region which registers the highest percentage of approximately 41% and the region is estimated to be losing up-to UGX20 Billion per month. It has led to wasted resources, reduced revenue, and increased costs which is a hindrance to business growth and customer satisfaction.
Addressing the issue may require a multi-pronged approach that involves identifying and addressing related issues like, but not limited to; leaks, improving metering and billing systems, and staff training and awareness.
The NWSC Workers’ Union team has taken a step towards staff engagement with the aim of empowering the staff on how to strategize and act against NRW. However, the Union team comprehends that staff ought to have underlying issues that may compromise their ability to effectively and sustainably battle NRW hence a series of workshops held since last week.
Today, it was all about the Senior Plumbers/Plumbers (Water Supply Dep’t, Asset Management, Central Support Unit, WALOPU, Meter Workshop & Water Loss Dep’t), Non-Revenue Water Investigators, and Surveyors in an exchange meeting with Workers’ Union facilitated by KW’s Human Resources.
The exchange meeting witnessed the various staff split into groups to discuss and document systematic issues leading to NRW and possible solutions. In this way, staff got a deeper understanding of the importance of NRW reduction and the role they play in achieving it, which created a sense of ownership and accountability but that doesn’t put to rest the challenges being faced and these were clearly highlighted by the staff during their submissions.
Notably, the meeting was opened by the Chairperson UPEU, Ms. Agatha Arembe who urged the KW teams to be open to the discussions and that way come up with solutions. She made known the function of the Workers’ Union to the staff and encouraged them to join as it will only benefit them I term of staff welfare.
The union team emphasized the need to create a positive work environment that fosters innovation and continuous improvement in NRW reduction. By investing in staff welfare, KW can improve employee morale and productivity, reduce staff turnover, and ultimately contribute to the fight against NRW.
The plenary session highlighted a number of systematic issues leading to NRW and possible solutions which put a lot into perspective for the Union team who pledged to make known to top management and Board of the noted grievances and proposed solutions that may burry NRW for good.
All in all, by addressing NRW, Kampala Water can improve its business growth, enhance customer satisfaction, and contribute to the sustainable use of water resources. create a sense of ownership and accountability
