* Replacing a vandalised or stolen meter costs an average of K169,000, excluding accessories, and can rise to K216,000 when associated fittings are needed
* The Board initially covers the meter replacement cost but later recovers it from the affected customer during replacement or reconnection
* While customers are responsible for purchasing associated fittings where applicable
By Favour Chauluka, Malawi News Agency (MANA)
Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) reports that it has lost K2.4 billion between 2020 and 2025 due to meter vandalism.
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Spokesperson Chisomo Chibwana indicated this development in an interview on Thursday, breaking it down that 3,067 water meters were vandalised or stolen during the 2024/25 financial year, bringing the cumulative total to 7,771 cases between 2020 and 2025 — thus the replacement costs is estimated at K2.4 billion.
She added that Lilongwe’s Northern Zone accounted for 2,417 cases (79%) in 2024/25, while the Central and Southern zones recorded 479 and 171 cases, respectively.
She said the problem has persisted, with the Southern Zone, where Tambalale area is located, recording 215 cases between January and July 2026 at an estimated replacement cost of K83 million.
“Vandalism increases LWB’s financial burden and disrupts water supply, as damaged meters cause significant losses of treated water, raising non-revenue water and reducing revenue while adding replacement costs,” Chibwana said.
Replacing a vandalised or stolen meter costs an average of K169,000, excluding accessories, and can rise to K216,000 when associated fittings are needed.
Chibwana explained that the board initially covers the meter replacement cost but later recovers it from the affected customer during replacement or reconnection, while customers are responsible for purchasing associated fittings where applicable.
“To curb the malpractice, we are conducting community sensitisation and collaborating with the Malawi Police Service through a memorandum of understanding aimed at expediting investigations and prosecutions.
“We are also working with local leaders, communities and other stakeholders to identify and report offenders.”
Spokesperson Chisomo Chibwana
Chibwana disclosed that the enforcement measures have already led to prosecutions, including the case of Gift Gama of Mazira Village, in the area of Traditional Authority Ganya in Ntcheu District.
Gama was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour by the Chiseka Magistrate Court on August 3, 2026, after pleading guilty to stealing 12 LWB water meters valued at K3 million.
“The case was prosecuted by LWB-seconded police officers from the Malawi Police Service,” Chibwana said, while urging communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around water meter installations through LWB’s toll-free line 253 or the nearest police station.
“We appeal to the public to report anyone suspected of buying water meters, fittings or other water infrastructure materials as scrap metal.
“Community cooperation is essential to protecting public water infrastructure and maintaining reliable water services,” Chibwana said.
Residents of Tambalale have complained that the resulting water shortages are affecting daily life with Emmah Lytan attesting to that the problem has disrupted many household activities, and residents have raised the matter with authorities.
Another resident, Mwayi Muyaya, said some people have resorted to using unsafe streams or walking long distances in search of water, adding that water bowsers are sometimes provided but the supply is often insufficient.
Tamala Benisi, whose meter was stolen, said LWB replaced it after she reported the theft to police, but she remains without water because damaged or removed pipes and fittings also require replacement.
“The fittings alone cost K86,000, making it difficult for me to restore the connection,” she said.—Editing by Maravi Express
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