Water Metering / Pricing ProjectWater Metering / Pricing ProjectLongford’s ExperienceLongford’s Experience

11 May 2005

Tullamore

Story so farStory so far

Background Drivers Inhouse v’s DBO Process

management Methodology

Project costs Outcomes Issues Lessons learned

BackgroundBackground

500 metered accounts 1,500 fixed charge customers Unidentified customers – large number Management system – underdeveloped Revenue collection - 40% Unaccounted for water – 56%

DriversDrivers

Consolidation of technical and revenue services

Water Framework Directive User based charges

Water conservation Consumer demand for more consistency,

fairness and transparency

Inhouse v’s DBOInhouse v’s DBO

CIS & GIS – established and comprehensive

Rural county Inhouse expertise and local knowledge Process control Cost Future management / options

Process ManagementProcess Management

Steering group established Strategic approach Council policy Management support Multidisciplinary

Teams established Engineering, technical and administration Meter installation team Water charge collection team

MethodologyMethodology

Customer database Equipment procurement & review Customer service Revenue collection

Customer DatabaseCustomer Database

CIS & GIS Geo Directory Customer survey Records & files Local knowledge Area based approach Incentives

Longford Caretaker AreasLongford Caretaker Areas

Equipment ProcurementEquipment Procurement& & Performance Performance ReviewReview

Meters Meter boxes Loggers Meter reading Meter management software Meter billing software Contractors

Customer ServiceCustomer Service

Communications Public briefing sessions Stakeholders “Dummy” bills / leakage alert Backup and support Staffing implications Customer charter

Revenue CollectionRevenue Collection

Historical debt New customers Meter reading Billing issues Debt collection Staffing implications

Project CostsProject Costs

Capital costs Budget Expenditure to date Unit cost per meter

Revenue costs Staff operational costs Collection costs

OutcomesOutcomes

Project commencement date – mid 2003 Customers identified – 3,500 New meters installed to date – 1,500 Anticipated number of meters – 4,500 Completion date – mid 2006

Revenue CollectionRevenue Collection

2002 - €400,000 – 40% 2003 - €700,000 2004 - €1,200,000 – 75.5% 2005 - €2,000,000

Problems and IssuesProblems and Issues

Historical baggage and culture Legal system IT

Problems and IssuesProblems and Issues

Connections• GWS• Multiple• Illegal• Owner/occupier

Water conservation Water pricing

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Management commitment Customer service & focus On the ground / local knowledge Staff recruitment, training and commitment IT systems Dedicated multidisciplinary teams VFM

Meters and Meter BoxesMeters and Meter Boxes

Meters Reading TechnologyMeters Reading Technology

Meter IdentifierMeter Identifier

QuestionsQuestions