A cooperation protocol was signed between the Ministry of Production and the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, to locally manufacture smart water meters, reported Al Borsa News.

“We are moving towards the deployment of pre-paid meters to ensure that the value of the citizen’s actual consumption is collected and to avoid human error,” Madbouly said

“Pre-paid meters will be installed in all new cities, as well as in social housing and middle income units,” added Madbouly.

Approximately 1.4 million water meters will be installed as part of the first phase of the 3 million meter project, to be executed by the Ministry of Military Production under a direct contract. Over a five-year period from the protocol signing, 3 million smart water meters and spare parts will be produced.

Producing meters locally will save hard currency, as the cost per imported meter is $90-$100, said Madbouly.