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Managing Water Loss: LWB Saves K1.4 bn

7th Joint Coordinating Committee JCC meeting between water boards and the Japan International Cooperation (JICA) 7th Joint Coordinating Committee JCC meeting between water boards and the Japan International Cooperation (JICA)

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) says it has registered a two percent drop in revenue loss emanating from water leakage and illegal connections, saving about K1.4 billion between July and July this year.

Speaking during a 7th Joint Coordinating Committee JCC meeting between water boards and the Japan International Cooperation (JICA) in Lilongwe today, LWB Executive Director Sili Mbewe said the saved resources will help them supply water to more people.

The meeting aimed at following up on the progress made in the project aimed at strengthening the capacity of Lilongwe Water Board to reduce non-revenue water loses.

Mbewe attributed the gains made to usage of special equipment which they have acquired.

“We have received so much equipment for non-revenue water reduction. We are talking about leak detection material, among others. The main strategy has been to build our capacity,” he said.

Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Sanitation Joseph Magwira says there is a need for all water utility bodies to have a good relationship with their customers to deal with issues of broken pipes and illegal connections, among the many challenges they face.

“Some of the losses occur closer to customers premises, so being in good relations with them will compel them to report all illegal connections and save revenue,” he said.

JICA is technically and financially supporting the project said they extended the initiative by eight months as Covid 19 affected its progress.

“This project started in the midst of Covid 19 and it affected the implementation so we need to catch up, that is why we have extended the period,” he said.

The project which started in 2019 is expected to end in June 2024.

Non-revenue water is water that has been produced but is lost before it reaches the customer.

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Last modified on Tuesday, 24/01/2023

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