Ghana’s Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has endorsed the Ghana Water Company Limited’s (GWCL) proposals to pilot a prepaid water metering system.

GWCL believes implementing the system will cut wastage in its operations.“PURC is not against the concept of introducing the metering system for utility services; of course, if installed, prepaid meters will reduce your commercial loses, and the GWCL has a huge loss that has to be reduced,” says PURC Director of Public Affairs Nana YaaJantuah.

Jantuah also says this move takes away the issues of illegal connection and theft. However, she says the GWCL should conduct due diligence to ensure the system is implemented effectively.

The proposal has been met with resistance from the public and civil society organizations. Consumers will have to load money to credit meters using smart cards. Water meters will cut off water supply when the credit ends and the valve will only reopen once more credit has been loaded.Concerns have therefore been raised about what the proposed pre-paid water metering system could mean for the poor.