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Cradock’s Water Woes: Finding the Right Prepaid Meter Supplier

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Living in a beautiful town like Cradock comes with its own set of joys and challenges. While the Eastern Cape town boasts stunning scenery and a rich historical tapestry, managing water usage, especially with unpredictable rainfall patterns, can be a concern. That’s where prepaid water meters come in, empowering residents to take control of their consumption and budget. But with a variety of suppliers both online and offline, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Let’s dive into the options available in Cradock, helping you find the perfect fit for your water management needs.

Online Suppliers:

Straton Prepaid: Straton Prepaid offers a number of water meters and keypads – locally made and imported. Famous for their ‘black UIU‘ – a replacement keypad WITH replaceable batteries for the locally made Amanzi Range of prepaid water meters.

EasyMeter: A national leader in prepaid water metering, EasyMeter offers a convenient online platform for ordering and managing your meter. They have a wide range of options to choose from, including budget-friendly and feature-packed models. They partner with local installers in Cradock, ensuring a seamless installation process.

Watermart: Similar to EasyMeter, Watermart provides a comprehensive online shopping experience for prepaid water meters. They cater to all needs and budgets, with meters offering basic functionalities to advanced smart metering capabilities. They also partner with local technicians in Cradock for installation.

AfriMeter: Focusing on sustainability and water conservation, AfriMeter offers a unique selection of prepaid water meters with eco-friendly features. You can browse their online catalog and find the perfect meter to match your environmental values and water usage patterns.

Offline Suppliers:

Cradock Plumbing Supplies: A well-established local business located at 14 Market St, Cradock, 5880. They offer a range of prepaid water meter options from reputable brands like Itron and Elster, catering to both residential and commercial needs. Their friendly staff can guide you through the installation process and answer any questions you might have.

Eastern Cape Irrigation: Situated at 27 Richard St, Cradock, 5880, this supplier specializes in irrigation systems and water management solutions. They also offer a selection of prepaid water meters, along with expert installation and maintenance services.
Image of Eastern Cape Irrigation, CradockOpens in a new window

Cradock Hardware: Your one-stop shop for all things hardware, located at 87 Voortrekker Rd, Cradock, 5880. While their main focus is on general hardware supplies, they also stock a limited range of prepaid water meters, catering to basic residential needs.

Choosing the Right Supplier:

Before making a decision, consider these factors:

  • Budget: Prepaid water meters come in a range of prices, so determine your budget and compare options accordingly.
  • Features: Decide which features are important to you, such as tamper alerts, leak detection, or remote monitoring capabilities.
  • Water usage: Choose a meter with a capacity that suits your average water consumption.
  • Installation and support: Check if the supplier offers installation services and ongoing technical support.
  • Brand reputation: Opt for a reputable brand with a proven track record of quality and reliability.

By carefully considering your needs and comparing the options available, you can find the perfect prepaid water meter supplier in Cradock to help you manage your water usage effectively and affordably. Remember, taking control of your water consumption is not just good for your budget, but also for the precious water resources of our beautiful town.

Pre-paid Water Meters Help Preserve This Precious Rescue

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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Metropolitan area has been subject to drought restrictions for the most part of the last 7 years.

The dams to the west of the metropole have ranged in level from below 10% to almost full over this time.

Tha main water supply to the east of the metropole comes from the Nooitgedacht water treatment plant which receives its water from the Gariep Dam almost 500 kilometres to the north.

As a consequence residents have become accustomed to water savings and punitive tariffs.

Water is a precious resource, and during drought conditions, it becomes crucial to conserve it effectively. Whether you’re in a drought-affected area like Nelson Mandela Bay or simply want to be more mindful of your water usage, we have compiled 11 tips to help you save water.

11 Water Saving Tips:

  1. Fix Leaks Promptly: Regularly check for and repair any leaks in faucets, pipes, and toilets to prevent water wastage.
  2. Install Water-Saving Devices: Consider installing low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and water-efficient appliances to minimize water usage.
  3. Shorten Shower Time: Take shorter showers to reduce water consumption. Consider turning off the water while soaping or shampooing.
  4. Collect Rainwater: Utilise rain barrels or tanks to collect rainwater for outdoor use, reducing the need for treated water for gardening and other non-potable purposes.
  5. Water Plants Wisely: Water your garden or plants during the cooler parts of the day to minimize evaporation. Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil.
  6. Sweep, Don’t Hose: Instead of using a hose to clean outdoor areas, opt for sweeping or using a broom to conserve water.
  7. Run Full Loads: When using the dishwasher or washing machine, ensure that you run full loads to maximize water efficiency.
  8. Reuse Water: Consider reusing greywater from activities like dishwashing or bathing for non-potable purposes such as flushing toilets or watering plants.
  9. Adjust Lawn Maintenance: Raise the cutting height of your lawn mower to promote water retention in the soil, reducing the need for frequent watering.
  10. Check Watering Systems: Regularly inspect and maintain irrigation systems to ensure they are functioning efficiently and not contributing to water wastage.
  11. Educate Others: Share water-saving tips with family, friends, and the community to collectively make a difference in water conservation efforts.

Private Prepaid Sub Metering in Nelson Mandela Bay:

In drought-affected areas like Nelson Mandela Bay, private prepaid sub metering offers several benefits for consumers:

  1. Controlled Water Usage: With private prepaid sub metering, consumers have direct control over their water usage. By monitoring and managing their consumption, they can actively contribute to water conservation efforts during the drought.
  2. Cost Management: Prepaid sub metering allows consumers to track their water expenditure in real time, promoting responsible usage and cost management. This transparency empowers individuals to adjust their consumption patterns and save on water expenses.
  3. Community-wide Impact: Private prepaid sub metering fosters a culture of water awareness and conservation within the community. As consumers become more mindful of their usage, the collective impact contributes to alleviating the strain on local water resources during drought conditions.

By implementing these water-saving tips and utilising private prepaid sub metering from local suppliers such as Straton Pre-paid, consumers in Nelson Mandela Bay can play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of drought while managing their water usage effectively.

My prepaid meter has stopped working and won’t accept any tokens? What Now?

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One of the worst feelings is when your prepaid meter stops working and won’t accept any tokens.

Here are a few steps you can take to address the issue:

  1. Check the meter display: Make sure that there are no error messages or any other indications of a problem on the meter display. If you see any error codes or messages, note them down as they may provide useful information when contacting your electricity provider. See a list of different meters and error codes here – https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/about/prepaid-meter-error-codes/
  2. Verify the tokens: Double-check the tokens you are entering into the meter. Make sure that you are entering the correct token numbers and that they correspond to your meter’s unique identifier. It’s possible that a simple mistake in entering the token could be the cause of the issue. If you are using an Amanzi Prepaid Water Meter then this VIDEO – How to Enter your 20 Digit Prepaid Token into a Straton Prepaid Water Meter – will assist you in entering your token.
  3. Check if you are you affected by the TID Rollout: If your prepaid meter stops accepting new tokens on or after 24 November 2023 then the problem is most likely a Token Identifier (TID) fault and you will need to update your prepaid meter (electricity, water or gas) by purchasing more units and following the instructions printed on your receipt. More info and instructions here: https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/the-tid-rollover-and-how-it-affects-your-prepaid-meter/
  4. Contact your electricity provider: Reach out to your electricity provider’s customer service or support team. They will be able to assist you further with troubleshooting the issue. Provide them with the necessary details such as your account number, meter serial number, and any error codes displayed on the meter. If you are unsure of just who your provider is then follow the instructions under the How to find my supplier/payment processor FAQ section here: https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/about/faqs/
  5. Request a meter inspection: If the issue persists, request a meter inspection from your electricity provider or meter supplier. They will send a technician to assess the meter and identify any faults or malfunctions that may be causing the problem.
  6. Consider alternative payment methods: While waiting for the issue to be resolved, you may need to explore alternative payment methods for your electricity consumption. Your electricity provider can advise you on the available options such as purchasing prepaid vouchers from authorized vendors or using online payment platforms.
  7. Ask Online: Straton Prepaid and PMD Clients can request assistance HERE.

Remember, each electricity provider may have specific procedures and troubleshooting steps for prepaid meter issues, so it’s important to contact them directly for the most accurate and personalised assistance.

What is KRN and Why Should You Care?

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Should you have a main prepaid electricity, water or gas meter in your home it may have to be ‘recoded’ in order to continue dispensing electricity, water or gas after November 2024.

Please note that this also applies to PRIVATE pre-paid meters as supplied by Straton Electrical Pre-Paid and the many other vendors around the world.

With regards to the main electricity utilities plans to recode existing meters Eskom has provided an update on its meter recoding initiative for all its customers and says that it is on track to meet the November 2024 deadline to recode around 6.8 Million pre-paid meters.

Eskom and all the electricity distributors in South Africa are required to recode prepaid electricity meters. The current Token Identifier (TID) code will expire on 24 November 2024 and after this date all Standard Transfer Specification (STS) compliant meters will stop accepting credit tokens. Most meters in the country fall within this category. In a virtual media briefing (see video), Eskom provided an update on its Key Revision Number (KRN) rollover project which is aimed at ensuring that all Eskom 6.8 million prepaid electricity meters are recoded before the deadline. This comes after a successful Phase 1 deployment in August and September 2023, dedicated to clear all the initial glitches and teething KRN rollover process issues were completed.

Eskom has done a ‘soft rollout’ of the DIY approach and reports that over 600 000 Key Vhange Tokens have been succesfully applied. There is no charge for this service and Eskom encourages consumers to report anyone or any company wanting to charge to do the recode.

All prepaid meters must be recoded, whether you are an Eskom customer or a municipality supplied customer or a private pre-paid meter owner.

This programme is a customer DIY rollover. As a prepaid meter user, you will be guided on how to recode your own meter. It is very easy. Just follow three steps, and you are done!

Get your two key change tokens from your local or online vendor when Eskom prompts you that your area is active follow these steps:

  1. Enter the first of the 20-digit codes into the system and wait for it to be accepted.
  2. After the code has been accepted, the second 20-digit code must be entered.
  3. A third code – which is the top-up token – can then be entered. Customers will know the system has been successfully updated when the top-up token is successfully loaded.

“It is all systems go for the Key Revision Number rollover project. The various provincial teams are working around the clock to ensure that everyone is recoded before the due date. We understand that there is no major project without glitches, but this is a commitment we have made to ourselves and will put every effort towards delivering on it,” said Eskom’s General Manager: Operations Enablement, Velaphi Ntuli.

Eskom confirmed that a Do It Yourself (DIY) approach is a more convenient and cost-effective approach for the rollout. Easy step-by-step guides are available on the various Eskom’s communication channels including social media platforms, Alfred Chatbot, and the Eskom website to enable a seamless process.

Progress of the rollout will be monitored centrally daily through a dashboard and support will be provided through various customer support mechanisms in place. Customers will be issued with a pair of key change tokens at the time when they purchase their normal top-up prepaid electricity via any of the Eskom approved vending channels and outlets.

Customers should make sure that all pre-purchased tokens are loaded into the meter before recoding the meter as these will not work after recoding.

“It is critical that I emphasise that the recoding of meters is done at no cost to the customers. Therefore, we caution customers against scammers who would attempt to take advantage of the recoding process and request for any form of payment for this service. Furthermore, as this is a DIY process, Eskom employees will continue to only assist customers that have logged queries and received proper reference numbers”, explained Eskom’s Senior Manager for Customer Services, Portia Papu.

“The process of buying electricity has not changed. Customers will still be able to buy electricity from major banks, online platforms, fuel-filling (service) stations, prepaid electricity vending agents and retailers across the country as they are currently doing,” added Papu.

It is important for customers to take note that should they not recode their meter, the meter will become inactive after 24 November 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: This recoding extends to all STS compliant meters including pre-paid gas and water meters.

Related: https://straton.co.za/pre-paid/the-tid-rollover-and-how-it-affects-your-prepaid-meter/

Video: UPDATE: Eskom and Municipalities Key Revision Number (KRN) Rollover Plan for Prepaid Meters

 

R64 300 each for Tshwane’s Smart Prepaid Meters?

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A payment of R950 million to Peu Capital Partners by the Tshwane metro was temporarily halted by the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday.

The decision by the court followed a successful urgent application by the civil rights organisation AfriForum, which argued the municipality had tried to “sneak through” the massive payment to Peu with the knowledge that the ill-fated contract for the city’s smart pre-paid electricity was not above board.

The court made an interim order preventing the payment of amounts totalling R950 million to Peu, giving the Tshwane metro until 5 July to give reasons why the order should not be made permanent.

AfriSake, a division of AfriForum, filed the urgent application after it learnt that the metro was about to pay over the money.

The controversial multi-billion rand contract between the metro and Peu was cancelled in May last year, after the deal had been found to be irregular.

National government had warned Tshwane on several occasions not to enter into the contract, saying it was, among other reasons, too expensive.

The metro however, concluded the contract with Peu and smart electricity meters were rolled out in the city.

During the 2014/15 financial year, Peu was paid some R830 million despite only 12 900 smart meters had been installed – a per meter price of R64 341.08!

Source: Court halts payment for doomed smart meters | Rekord East