Siaya Bondo Water and Sanitation Company (SIBOWASCO) in partnership with Gosoft Integrated Technology Solutions Limited seeks to install additional 350 smart meters to its clients after boosting its revenue by 50 percent from the piloted 50 gadgets. The company targets three municipalities: Siaya, Bondo, and Ugunja, as well as Yala Town.
While speaking to meter readers at the smart meter sensitization forum that Gosoft Integrated Technology Solutions Limited sponsored, SIBO Managing Director Isaiah Adipo emphasized these recent developments. “Previously, we were collecting annual revenue of Sh 16 million, and we are optimistic that we will hit a target of Sh 24 million with the smart water meters they were installing since the smart meters have proved to be working and would now roll out some 350 in parts of the county,’ said Adipo.
Adipo added that the gadgets are part of the many strategies that would cut frauds in the billing system and tap revenues they require from the water supply. The meters will address illegal connections and enhance accurate billing, as the company shall read the smart meters digitally from their offices and disconnect water flow without going to client’s homes or business premises. “The smart meters generate consumption data, which help to detect leakages and water diversions. It also has water control valve that, once deactivated, closes or disconnects water automatically,” he added. Currently, SIBOWASCO, which was previously collecting between Ksh. 300,000 and Ksh. 700,000 monthly, is managing Ksh. 1.2M within the same period courtesy of the smart meters.
There is an urgent need to embrace the technology and see to it that every drop of water is accounted for. SIBO Water is connected to 18,000 clients, a number that would be connected to Smart meters in phases. The SIBO staff lauded the Gosoft smart meters, saying the feature of controlling valve remotely and disconnecting clients with water bills is awesome