Joburg water postpone smart meter rollout project in Orange Farm

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The Johannesburg Water has announced that rollout of prepaid smart meter project to parts of Soweto and Orange Farm has been postponed to next year.

The water utility has set January 22, 2024 to continue with the rollout in the earmarked areas.

In a statement, the entity stated that following the switching from open mode to prepaid meters in Cosmo City from November 1, the rolling out was supposed to extend to Diepkloof, Orlando East and West, as well as Orange Farm in December 2023.

Although no date was confirmed for the switching in Orange Farm, Johannesburg Water(JW) said it will be communicated in due time.

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Roll out of prepaid smart meter project to parts of Soweto postponed ^N pic.twitter.com/nFKKBj9yca

— Johannesburg Water (@JHBWater) December 4, 2023

“As such, Johannesburg Water is urging the residents of Orlando East and West, Diepkloof, as well as Orange Farm to ensure that they all have a Customer Interface Unit(CIU).

“CIU’s are display units that are installed inside houses and linked to prepaid water meters and are crucial for loading units when purchasing water credits,” a statement read.

According to JW, the smart meters will empower customers to manage their water consumption thereby contributing to water conservation.

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Customers will also be able to purchase credit in the comfort of their homes by utilising online applications.

They encouraged them(customers) to have smart meters because they will be able to pay for their consumption instead of paying a flat rate, which is normally higher.

Indigent customers with meters will also be able to access their Expanded Social Package(ESP) benefit.

The entity further warned that refusal of switching to prepaid smart meters will lead to level 3 water cuts where residents will then have to pay to be reconnected.