Mobile Technology for Enhanced Water Security
Summary
The e-Madzi initiative is a mobile technology-based system piloted throughout Lilongwe, Malawi, that allows consumers to buy water from communal water kiosks electronically (using prepaid smart cards) at any time, and at a lower price than at attendant-operated kiosks. The e-Madzi kiosks have enhanced access to water in low-income areas, as well as ensured a safer method for purchasing water during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically, residents of low-income communities in Lilongwe buy water from communal kiosks operated by attendants during limited hours of the day. This practice frequently translates into insufficient access to water that is access only when water tap attendants are present, as well as higher water prices due to the need to pay an attendant (and, occasionally, corruption among attendants) (MBC, n.d.; Nkoloma, 2020; World Bank, 2020).
Intervention
The Lilongwe Water Board launched the e-Madzi initiative in collaboration with GSMA (a multinational telecommunications corporation), the European Union, and several other foreign funders (Nkoloma, 2020; GSMA, 2018). After initial attempts at utilizing mobile technology for water security were unsuccessful, the Lilongwe Water Board contracted iMoSyS - a Malawi-based software, hardware, and engineering company specializing in intelligent monitoring systems - in 2017, to tackle the problem (Nkoloma, 2020; iMoSyS, n.d.).
The e-Madzi initiative was designed to enhance water security in low-income communities by increasing Lilongwe's low-income residents' access to water at all hours, while ensuring a lower, fixed price for water (LWB, n.d.; MBC, n.d.).
With funding from the EU, the World Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the iMoSyS team was able to develop a successful solution for fully automated water kiosks for the Lilongwe Water Board in 2019 (Nkoloma, 2020; Mbale, 2020).
Challenges
Presently, the biggest challenges to the e-Madzi project relate to the future sustainability of these high-tech systems in peri-urban and rural communities. Although training is provided for community members, the project itself is in its infancy, so it is unclear how effective these training sessions will be in ensuring that rural communities are equipped to manage and maintain these solutions in the future (Nkoloma, 2020). Furthermore, automation of the water kiosks eliminated the need for attendants, which resulted in a loss of employment for water kiosk workers. Although this automation simplified the water purchasing process (and ensured greater safety during the pandemic), it did have a negative economic impact on the attendants who lost their jobs, which must also be considered when evaluating overall program outcomes (Mbale, 2020).
Ultimately, the e-Madzi initiative has proven quite successful in enhancing safe access to water for low-income and peri-urban communities. After a video of the e-Madzi f
Outcomes
The e-Madzi system has resulted in a 65% reduction in water costs, as it has eliminated the need for a kiosk attendant, thereby making water cheaper and more accessible for the community (World Bank, 2020). Furthermore, the e-Madzi initiative has enabled constant access to water for some of Lilongwe's most vulnerable residents, who are now able to purchase water from communal kiosks at all hours. Ultimately, this initiative has enhanced water security for approximately 8,750 of some of the city's most vulnerable residents (World Bank, 2020).
This innovative, mobile technology approach to prepaid, tech-backed water kiosks has yielded significant public health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has the e-Madzi initiative made water more readily available and accessible for Lilongwe's residents' for handwashing and other hygienic purposes crucial for combatting the pandemic, the initiative has also made the physical act of purchasing water safer. By eliminating the need for a kiosk attendant, the
References
Mobile Technology for Enhanced Water Security
Summary
The e-Madzi initiative is a mobile technology-based system piloted throughout Lilongwe, Malawi, that allows consumers to buy water from communal water kiosks electronically (using prepaid smart cards) at any time, and at a lower price than at attendant-operated kiosks. The e-Madzi kiosks have enhanced access to water in low-income areas, as well as ensured a safer method for purchasing water during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Typically, residents of low-income communities in Lilongwe buy water from communal kiosks operated by attendants during limited hours of the day. This practice frequently translates into insufficient access to water that is access only when water tap attendants are present, as well as higher water prices due to the need to pay an attendant (and, occasionally, corruption among attendants) (MBC, n.d.; Nkoloma, 2020; World Bank, 2020).
Issue
Intervention
The Lilongwe Water Board launched the e-Madzi initiative in collaboration with GSMA (a multinational telecommunications corporation), the European Union, and several other foreign funders (Nkoloma, 2020; GSMA, 2018). After initial attempts at utilizing mobile technology for water security were unsuccessful, the Lilongwe Water Board contracted iMoSyS - a Malawi-based software, hardware, and engineering company specializing in intelligent monitoring systems - in 2017, to tackle the problem (Nkoloma, 2020; iMoSyS, n.d.).
The e-Madzi initiative was designed to enhance water security in low-income communities by increasing Lilongwe's low-income residents' access to water at all hours, while ensuring a lower, fixed price for water (LWB, n.d.; MBC, n.d.).
With funding from the EU, the World Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the iMoSyS team was able to develop a successful solution for fully automated water kiosks for the Lilongwe Water Board in 2019 (Nkoloma, 2020; Mbale, 2020).
Challenges
Presently, the biggest challenges to the e-Madzi project relate to the future sustainability of these high-tech systems in peri-urban and rural communities. Although training is provided for community members, the project itself is in its infancy, so it is unclear how effective these training sessions will be in ensuring that rural communities are equipped to manage and maintain these solutions in the future (Nkoloma, 2020). Furthermore, automation of the water kiosks eliminated the need for attendants, which resulted in a loss of employment for water kiosk workers. Although this automation simplified the water purchasing process (and ensured greater safety during the pandemic), it did have a negative economic impact on the attendants who lost their jobs, which must also be considered when evaluating overall program outcomes (Mbale, 2020).
Ultimately, the e-Madzi initiative has proven quite successful in enhancing safe access to water for low-income and peri-urban communities. After a video of the e-Madzi f
Outcomes
The e-Madzi system has resulted in a 65% reduction in water costs, as it has eliminated the need for a kiosk attendant, thereby making water cheaper and more accessible for the community (World Bank, 2020). Furthermore, the e-Madzi initiative has enabled constant access to water for some of Lilongwe's most vulnerable residents, who are now able to purchase water from communal kiosks at all hours. Ultimately, this initiative has enhanced water security for approximately 8,750 of some of the city's most vulnerable residents (World Bank, 2020).
This innovative, mobile technology approach to prepaid, tech-backed water kiosks has yielded significant public health benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only has the e-Madzi initiative made water more readily available and accessible for Lilongwe's residents' for handwashing and other hygienic purposes crucial for combatting the pandemic, the initiative has also made the physical act of purchasing water safer. By eliminating the need for a kiosk attendant, the
Issues |
|---|
Water Scarcity and Access |
Solutions |
|---|
Affordable & Inclusive Water Access |
References
GSM Association (GSMA). (2018, June 15). Lilongwe Water Board: Using mobile technology to bring innovative payment. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/mgrantee/dsfsdf/
iMoSyS. (n.d.). iMoSyS: About us. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.imosys.mw/about/
Lilongwe Water Board (LWB). (n.d.). E-Madzi Facility. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.lwb.mw/e-madzi-facility/
Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). (n.d.). Lilongwe Water Board Partners TNM On e-Madzi. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from https://www.mbc.mw/radio-2/item/4673-lilongwe-water-board-partners-tnm-on-e-madzi
Mbale, H. (2020, December 8). EcoCiv Interview with Hastings Mbale, Principal Hydrologist at the Department of Water Resources, Malawi.
Nkoloma, M. (2020, November 13). EcoCiv Interview with Mayamiko Nkoloma, Managing Director at iMoSyS.
World Bank. (2020, September 9). Automated Water Kiosks Provide Continuous Water for Malawians During COVID-19. Retrieved November 17, 2020, from