Access Anytime: Prepaid Meter Success Story
Victor William & Philip Tamba — March 2025
The Smart Water Distribution Point with Prepaid Water Meter using Smartcards to fetch water.
Introduction
Access to clean and safe water is essential for daily life, yet many rural communities have long struggled with inconsistent supply and inefficient payment systems.
The introduction of prepaid water meters by the DMDO in partnership with The Grille Foundation, World Vision, and RUWASA has revolutionised water service delivery, ensuring 24/7 access and promoting sustainability.
Ashura Issa fetching water from the Prepaid Water Meter Distribution Point
For residents like Ashura Issa, a 22-year-old mother from Lindwandwali village, this change has been life-changing.
The Challenges of Traditional Water Systems
Before prepaid water meters, communities relied on manual, postpaid water meters, which posed several challenges:
The old water source that used manual water meters.
Inconvenience & Limited Access – Water taps were only opened when a fee collector was available, restricting access and causing long queues, especially during peak hours.
Time Wasted – Women and children spent hours waiting for water, affecting school attendance, farming, and household duties.
Financial Mismanagement – Cash-based collections often led to missing funds and unfair contributions.
Unreliable Service – If the fee collector was absent, the water distribution point remained closed, leaving families without water for an entire day.
For Ashura and her neighbours, fetching water was a daily struggle. "We used to spend almost half the day looking for water, leaving little time for other duties," she recalls. Her child’s education suffered, as she often missed school to help collect water. With a household of five, Ashura could only fetch 40–60 litres per day, barely enough for their needs.
The Game Changer: Prepaid Water Meters
To address these challenges, the DMDO introduced Prepaid Water Meters with Smart Water Distribution Points. These meters allow community members to purchase water credits in advance using smart cards, ensuring they have control over their water usage and expenses.
A New Era of Water Accessibility
The transition to prepaid meters has brought significant improvements:
24/7 Access to Water – Community members can fetch water anytime without waiting for a fee collector.
Time-Saving & Convenience – Women like Ashura can now fetch water in just three minutes instead of hours.
Safety & Security – No need to travel long distances, reducing exposure to risks from dangerous animals or unsafe areas.
Financial Transparency – Payments are digital, ensuring all funds are properly accounted for, benefiting both residents and water service organisations.
Sustainability – Revenue collection has improved, allowing CBWSOs to maintain and expand water services effectively.
Ashura’s New Life
"Now, I don’t have to wait for someone to open the water tap. I just ensure my smart card has a balance, and I can fetch water anytime.
My daily duties are no longer disrupted, and I have peace of mind knowing that water is always available."
Ashura and her sister fetching water for their household needs.
With prepaid water meters, Ashura’s household can now access enough water for cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. More importantly, her child can attend school regularly without worrying about fetching water.
Impact Beyond Households: Strengthening Water Service Management
The Makonde Community-Based Water Supply Organization (CBWSO), which manages prepaid water meters in nine villages, has seen incredible results. Mr. Idrisa, the CBWSO Manager, highlights how revenue collection has improved:
All funds go directly to the bank, eliminating losses from manual cash handling.
Increased revenue allows for reinvestment, such as purchasing a motorcycle to monitor water points more efficiently.
Demand for water has increased, showing the success of 24/7 availability through prepaid meters.
The Agent (Mr, Jabil) at his stations from Nyundo I village recharging the smart cards for water access
Acknowledgments
This transformation would not have been possible without the support of The Grille Foundation, DMDO, World Vision, and RUWASA. Thanks to their efforts, the Makonde CBWSO now serves over 18,000 people across six villages, ensuring clean and safe water access for all.
The introduction of prepaid water meters has not just changed the way water is accessed—it has empowered entire communities, creating a sustainable and reliable water system for generations to come.
