In the first step towards converting from post paid to smart pre paid metering, WASCO has engaged the services of Lesira Teq which will supply and install smart metres in selected areas, for a pilot period of six months. The WASCO Chief Executive Mr. Lehlohonolo Manamolela and the Lesira Teq Managing Director Mr. Edwin Sibiya on 6th September, 2017 signed a Service Level Agreement in this regard.
The Supply Chain Manager Mr. Peo Mputsoe indicated that WASCO is engaged in strategic sourcing and partnerships where all parties would have a relationship based on trust. This would create a win win situation where variables like prices and customized prices would be negotiated and WASCO would achieve value for money.
The Managing Director of Lesira Teq Company Mr. Sibiya expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to get into the smart metering contract with WASCO and said they are committed in ensuring that this project is a success and that it would benefit the consumers.
The metering Manager Mr. Chabeli Machake said, the smart meters will replace ordinary post paid metres within non domestic customers such as industries, businesses and the government entities. He said with these meters WASCO can be able to improve revenue collection and capture data easily with their automatic data collection and remote shut down units. They also bring new features such as customer interface unit which enables wireless transfer of credit and consumption information to users, which would then assist them in better managing their water use and buying water units using their mobile devices.
WASCO is facing an all time challenge of non-payment of bills and this breakthrough technology is expected to address this challenge. If the pilot becomes a success, then the Water Utility would put in strategies to roll out this conversion project across the country.
