Pre-paid water systems

Q: Do you have information about systems to charge users for water use at source? In particular information on pre-paid card or coin operated water points.
(Manager of small waterschemes, Benin)

Answer: here is some background information on pre-paid water systems.

Pre-paid systems are strongly opposed by some NGOs. Their reasons are summarized in: 11 Reasons to Oppose Prepaid Water Meters, http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/right/prepaid/11-reasons-to-oppose-prepaid-water-meters

For news on this issue see also:

Uganda: introducing a pre-paid water system and free sewer connections, Source Weekly, 25 Aug 2006, http://www.irc.nl/page/30487

Namibia: NGO slams prepaid water scheme, Source Weekly, 10 Apr 2006, http://www.irc.nl/page/28645

South Africa: cost recovery policy detrimental for HIV/AIDS-affected households, Source Weekly, 11 Oct 2006, http://www.irc.nl/page/31182

On implementation of prepaid systems see:

Nigerian parliamentarians pay by smart card, Source Bulletin, 14 Nov 2004, http://www.irc.nl/page/6077

Johannesburg Water

- Prepayment water meter, http://www.johannesburgwater.co.za/uploads/publications/Prepayment.pdf

- Presentation of the Operation Gcin’ Amanzi Project to the Pre-Payment Innovation Award Competition, http://www.spintelligent-events.com/auw2006/web-files/pdf/JHB%20Water.pdf