The Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company is set to roll out the first phase of the integrated system that seeks to reduce non-revenue water.
Acting managing director Richard Kibengo said the system will be rolled out together with the new approved tariff that seeks to cushion low water consumers.
The new water tariffs, which will be made operational from from Friday, September 1, will eliminate charges on zero consumption, meter rent and standing charges.
They will replace the old water tariffs which have been in use since 2017.
In the new rates, customers with zero consumption will not be charged, while those initially charged a flat rate for consumption of up to six units will only be charged per the units they consume.
“The tariffs are meant to ensure the commodity is available and affordable to the low-income consumers, they can then use more time in other economic activities,” he said.
He said the tariff’s adjustment was necessitated by the continued rise in cost of inputs, the rising cost of fuel and electricity, noting that the company’s rate still remains the lowest in the coastal region.
"The new tariff is a big reprieve to our consumers. It seeks to remove the minimum charge that has been a burden to its customers," Kibengo said.
The new system, he said, comes complete with a mobile app that will improve customer experience by simplifying processes of payment, self-meter reading and access to bills.
"The app allows water consumers to book for services or register complaints from the comfort of their homes," he said, adding that it will create an easy way for people to report leakages and illegal connections, thus helping reduce non-revenue water.
Speaking during signing of performance contracts for head of departments and branch managers at Voi, Kibengo said that the company has intensified the fight against vandalism and water theft to weed out people involved in illegal water connections.
"Response rate to emergencies will be significantly improved as the front line officers can receive tasks and report completion of tasks through their own devices," he said.
The company targets to reduce water losses from the current 36 to less than 20 per cent by 2032 as part of its 10-year strategic plan.
The county loses an estimated Sh19 million monthly on non-revenue water and vandalism.
