By Leonard Masauli

Lilongwe, October 10, Mana: Area 50 Water Users Association (A50-WUA) has expressed concern over the growing trend of meter theft, which is negatively impacting the organization’s operations.

The issue was discussed during the association's Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lilongwe, where members reflected on the association’s performance.

A50-WUA Vice Board Chairperson, Solomon Zulu, revealed that the association’s revenue had declined, with K235 million collected in the 2022/2023 financial year compared to K210 million in 2023/2024.

He attributed the reduction in revenue to an increase in meter theft and the illegal sale of water by individuals in local communities.

“At today’s AGM, we reviewed our performance over the past year. Unfortunately, the rise in meter theft and tampering has severely impacted our operations.

“Additionally, individuals selling water privately are contributing to our revenue loss. We are urging Water Board and the police to assist us in addressing these issues,” said Zulu.

Maliya Ward Councillor, Patrick Makumba, thanked members at the AGM for identifying key areas that need improvement.

“I am impressed with the progress report from A50-WUA. Despite the revenue drop compared to last year, illegal water sales and meter theft are major challenges that are affecting our revenues. However, we are working hard to combat these practices,” said Makumba.

He mentioned that the association plans to diversify its operations by constructing private toilets as an additional source of revenue, beyond just selling water.