29th November 2016 Tonga Water Board determined the actual dividend amount that the firm will pay out at a total of $1,027,000 million. This represents an increase in the Company’s Net Profit After Tax by 0.27% with a total of $457, 928 Tax Payable to the Government of Tonga.
This year highlights another year of achievement for Tonga Water Board. To start with, the water tariff was reduced by 10%. In addition, the meter rental was removed from the water bill which was previously included in the Waste Bill. However, it is perceived as a challenge for the Company to recover the lost revenue as a result of meter rental abolishment and the reduction in the water tariff.
The works to improve the quality and quantity of water supply in ‘Eua and Neiafu have completed. In addition, three electric pumps have been installed in Neiafu.
The water production in Vava’u has improved, however maintaining water pressure and water quality remain a great challenge for the board.
Our technicians have been providing technical assistance through the provision of production design and advice to the various villages which are under the management of the Ministry of Health.
It has been the board’s intention to embrace smart meter technology to help reduce non-revenue water or water loss.
The benefits of this new technology would enable the board to remotely read the meters from the TPL back office. This will enable the remote disconnection and reconnection of water supplies which will eliminate the need to manually read water meters.
It is also another key challenge for the board to establish one common billing between the three utilities. This is will help to reduce operational cost and improve customer services.
It has been a major achievement for the Tonga Water Board to successfully reduce the level of debtors by $300,000 pa’anga.
The ADB project at Mata ki ‘Eua is currently underway with the aim of upgrading water production and distribution for Nuku’alofa area. The project is planned to be completed by January next year, 2017. Improvements works for Mata ki ‘Eua includes the installation of 15 electric submersible pumps and the construction of a new reservoir. This project is expected to greatly improve the water infrastructure of the board. The project funded by ADB is in total of $6 million pa’anga.
Works to improve water pressure for Nuku’alofa is also a priority for the board. To increase water pressure, for certain areas in Nuku’alofa, 5 booster water pumps were installed in high elevated areas.
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Issued by the: Tonga Power Ltd