WATER ME TERS & MONITORING
METERING TECHNOLOGY
Inspired innovation Lesira-Teq has introduced a water meter to the market that has transformed the meter numbers into rand and cents – and with that a water-saving paradigm shift among end users, Lesira-Teq’s MD, Edwin Sibiya, tells Chantelle Mattheus.
F
or the first time, we have a water
within their wa-
benefit of free water how many litres they
meter that is user-friendly and not
ter pipe systems
have remaining.
just a series of numbers that re-
that may not be
Finally, says Sibiya, it enables end users
mains a mystery to end users. Our
obvious to them.
full access to the meter. They can lock it
water meter does not only provide the end
It also enables
and open it at their own convenience,
user easy access to important information
them to monitor
in that way they are able to prevent
about their water use, but also educates
their water usage
water wastage.
them on how best to manage and preserve water, explains Sibiya. He adds that the water meter is completely unique and has a totally integrated design that offers multiple modes of operation in one, consisting of, among others: • Pre-paid mode
Local dynamics
“We remain the only company that supplies intelligent water meters with multiple modes and sophisticated functionality.” Edwin Sibiya
The biggest challenge facing the water industry currently is how best to contribute to the country s water conservation efforts. South Africa is the 30th driest country
• Conventional mode • Post-paid mode
throughout the month and therefore helps
in the world, but lags behind in terms of
• Flat-rate Mode
to save water. It further enables the end
water conservation. There is a move in the
• Property leak detection
users to check their balance in the comfort
industry to provide innovative meters that
• Indigent audit system
of their own homes, avoiding the long
will help the country to preserve water,
• Offers various options for end users to pur-
queues at the pay points, he states.
says Sibiya.
chase water credit, including through the
Further value, according to Sibiya, is
Lesira-Teq provides a comprehensive
internet, the bank, BP garage, Spar, Engen
added because the meter also enables end
range of state-of-the-art intelligent water
garage, Pick n Pay, Shoprite Checkers,
users to activate usage of their emergency
meter technology in South Africa and
7 Eleven, Shell garage, Clicks and Sasol.
water at a time of their own choosing, as
according to Sibiya, Lesira-Teq remains
well as enabling them to load water in
a leader in this field. We remain the only
accordance to their specific water needs.
company that supplies intelligent water
Value-add verified This translates well into value and ben-
Additionally, it is user-friendly, ena-
meters with multiple modes and sophis-
efits for the end user in a variety of ways,
bling end users to read and understand
ticated functionality that accommodate
according to Sibiya.
Our water meter
their own water meter data and has the
prepaid,
enables the end users to detect any leaks
functionality to inform those with the
water dispensers.
conventional,
flat-rate
and
Metering is therefore uniquely suited to assist in sustainable solutions to this challenge. We need innovative products that can help educate our citizenry on the importance of water conservation. We need meters with functionalities that will enable end users to interpret numbers so as to contribute to a culture of water conservation on a large scale in our country, says Sibiya. However, there are specific challenges relating to the roll-out and effective utilisation of metering technology in the local context as well. Our conventional meters disempower
the
end-users.
We
need
technologies and innovations that are customer-centric. The end-users are clear about their needs from this industry; it is for us to listen carefully to their needs and produce water meters that will meet these needs, concludes Sibiya.
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MARCH/APRIL 2013