TECHNICAL TALK
Understanding prepaid meters : Fewer headaches for property developers
By Martin Hogan , general manager at Telbit
While prepaid water meters have been on the market since the midnineties , installed mostly in poor communities and low-cost housing installations , the market has seen a big shift towards high-end consumers living in estates , complexes as well as rental properties . Ignoring the negative vibe around ‘ paying for water ’, there are a host of features embedded in the prepaid controller ’ s electronics , that most consumers and utilities are ignorant to .
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The initial focus using prepaid meters was to roll out water reticulation to previously unconnected houses , at the same time ensuring that water consumed is water paid for .
With the growing scarcity of water and drought-stricken areas , ( thinking of the Cape town Day Zero episode ), the focus is now shifting to using prepaid meters to better exercise control over a scarce resource ; or simply called water conservation .
Above ground ( AGB ) meter Above ground ( AGB ) meter .
Utility management companies have become the latest buzzword around estates , townhouse complexes , and flats . Traditionally a complex or block of flats was issued with a single bulk water meter by the municipality , with the body corporate tasked to collect a flat rate from the individual homeowners . “ No more !” says the single dweller , having to foot part of the water bill of his neighbour ( with three children and an Olympic-sized swimming pool ).
Utility management companies are happy to install prepaid meters to the individual owners , with a mandate to collect money on behalf of the body corporate . They make sure there is enough to pay the municipal bill for the bulk meter , including something extra in terms of a management fee . The homeowner wins , the body corporate is in the green with the municipality , and the utility company is running a viable business .
Developers are now seeing their construction projects being specified at the design stage with the installation of a prepaid water meter .Using STS compliant prepaid meters ensures developers can now shop around for the best available system , knowing that the meter will be compatible with the municipal or management company billing or token vending system .
Convenience is key to the adoption of prepaid water by communities . No longer do consumers have to stand in queues to purchase credit tokens at the municipal office . Third-party vending companies integrated
22 MARCH - APRIL 2021 SAAffordHousing saaffordablehousingmag SA Affordable Housing www . saaffordablehousing . co . za