On September 8th and 9th of 2021, Aptech Africa held a training on prepaid water metering for stakeholders in Juba, South Sudan.
The training featured hardware such as LORENTZ, and was held to increase stakeholder’s understanding of prepaid solar water pumping systems, to teach attendees how to design and choose prepaid water systems, and to teach attendees basic repair and maintenance of prepaid water systems. Topics covered in the training included the installation, operation, and maintenance of prepaid water dispenser. In addition, Aptech provided information on the sustainability of prepaid water dispensers, including equity to access and how to set water tariffs. Furthermore, Aptech reviewed the roles of responsibilities of utilities, water sellers and the challenges of providing water as a service. Water network extension and operational cost optimization was also discussed.
The training was facilitated by Aptech Africa staff Abel Tekle, Eng Allan Bwete, and Denise Pulkeria. Aptech’s staff conducted hands-on training, including simulation on sizing and designing solar water pumps using Lorentz software and the practical use of operations software to collect revenue from water sales.
This training was attended by several stakeholders within the water sector in South Sudan including GIZ, Oxfam, SSUWC, the South Sudanese Development Organization, the Rescue Initiative in South Sudan, and Don Bosco Training Institute. By holding this training, Aptech Africa hopes that more NGOs and organizations will adopt the model of using prepaid water metering systems because it ensures equal distribution of water amongst households and helps reduce water wastage. Due to the training, water managers will be able to make better decisions for utility sustainability and maintenance of the prepaid water systems. Aptech also hopes to see an increase in the uptake of solar water pumping within the sector.
