PURC endorses prepaid water metering system

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has endorsed proposals from the Ghana Water Company to pilot a prepaid water metering system in order to cut wastage in its operations.

The PURC however, is of the view that Ghana Water Company should conduct due diligence to ensure effective implementation of the system.

According to Citifmonline, the Director of Public Affairs of the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah noted that it will help reduce losses in the system if effectively executed.

“PURC is not against the concept of introducing the metering system for utility services; of course, if installed prepaid meters it will reduce your commercial loses and the GWCL has a huge loss that has to be reduced.’’

According to her, the move will take away the issues of illegal connection and theft.

The proposal by Ghana Water has been met with fierce resistance from the general public as well as some civil society organizations like ISODEC who say implementing it would disadvantage some consumers.

But the Executive Secretary of the coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation, Benjamin Arthur speaking on Joy FM said ‘’whereas it is important for the Ghana Water Company to be efficient and get the revenue to run the system what is equally important is for water to be flowing, such that people can have access to this basic necessity of life.’’

According to him the GWCL should first of all ensure regular and reliable supply of water to every Ghanaian.