EWSC’s E600 mln prepaid meter rollout progresses steadily
EWSC Managing Director Jabulile Mashwama. The corporation has reported that the company has made significant progress in rolling out prepaid meters.
By Kwanele Dhladhla
The Eswatini Water Services Corporation (EWSC) has confirmed that the rollout of its E600 million prepaid water meter project continues to progress steadily across the country, marking a major step in the corporation’s digital transformation strategy.
According to EWSC Public Relations and Communications Specialist Hlobile Jele, the initiative was aimed at enhancing customer experience, billing accuracy, and operational efficiency.
The project forms part of the corporation’s long-term plan to modernise service delivery and promote responsible water usage.
“To date, we have successfully implemented the prepaid pilot project at Mndoni Estate, and we are now rolling out installations in several key areas, including Piggs Peak, Glen Township, Moyeni, Siteki, Nkhanini, Nhlangano, Moneni, Manzini, and Goje Township and Mukela in Ezulwini,” Jele said.
She further revealed that EWSC was extending the system to public prepaid standpipes to improve accessibility and ensure fair water distribution in communities.
“We have already introduced prepaid standpipes in Mangwaneni, and we are currently planning further installations in Lobamba, Ezabeni, Nkhanini, and Nshakambili,” Jele explained.
The prepaid meter system allows customers to manage their water consumption more effectively while helping the corporation reduce arrears and improve efficiency in revenue collection.
Jele noted that this innovation also aligns with the government’s digital transformation agenda to make public services more transparent and customer focused.
On the tariff adjustment implemented earlier this year, Jele clarified that the change was gazetted and approved by Parliament, and that customers were notified well in advance.
“The tariff adjustment took effect on April 1, 2025, following public communication campaigns in November 2024 and February 2025 to ensure transparency and customer awareness,” she said.
The new residential standard charge was E189.06, representing an increase of E7.27, or four per cent, from the previous rate of E181.79. The rate applies to water consumption ranging from 0–10 kilolitres, meaning customers will only pay more if they exceed this usage limit.
“This adjustment is a necessary measure to sustain and improve service delivery. It enables EWSC to continue maintaining, upgrading, and expanding the country’s water infrastructure to meet rising demand,” Jele emphasised.
In addition to the prepaid meter rollout, she said EWSC was implementing several major water access projects, including the ESWAP Project and the Manzini Integrated Water Supply Project.
The ESWAP Project focuses on extending water access to communities between Nhlangano and Siphambanweni, targeting a total of 11,880 beneficiaries, with about 2,000 individual connections upon completion.
Meanwhile, the Manzini Integrated Water Supply Project aims to meet the growing needs of the country’s expanding urban population, extending services beyond the Manzini region.
Upon completion, it is expected to benefit 120,000 people, with approximately 15,000 individual connections during the initial phase.
“These projects reaffirm EWSC’s commitment to ensuring reliable, sustainable, and equitable water access for all Emaswati,” Jele said.
She added that the corporation continues to encourage customers to register for prepaid meters and adopt responsible water usage habits as part of the shared national effort to safeguard Eswatini’s precious water resources for future generations.
