A water company operating in Kisumu City has unveiled a new system aimed at lowering water bills for its customers.
A report by The Standard on Sunday, March 28, indicated that Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company Limited (Kiwasco) had set up a meter-testing and calibration laboratory aimed at ensuring the prices are not exorbitant.
The development came following repeated complaints from customers exaggerated water bills
Speaking during the launch of the facility, Kiwasco Managing Director Thomas Odongo confirmed that the laboratory had been approved to offer calibration to other companies.
He further noted that the system, which was approved by the government, will allow the company to service meters both at the laboratory as well as the homes of the company's customers.
"This, therefore, means that Kiwasco is now performing water meter calibration services, both at our permanent calibration and at the customers' premises.
"It also means we are now offering meter tests, calibration, and training services to other water service providers and industries at a fee and we also allow industrial attachments from learning institutions," he stated.
Another official from the company Kennedy Kitinda, who is in charge of metering, noted that they received as much as 300 complaints in a month.
He further noted that in most cases, the complaints from the customers were valid.
"The move to set up a calibration laboratory was aimed at improving service delivery as provided for in various laws and treaties concerning the provision of water and sanitation services," stated Kitinda.
Kiwasco has more than 34,000 water meters operating both in business premises and customers' homes.
The company is only the second to implement the new system after Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company set up the facility to minimize errors that balloon water bills.
