2,120 Water Meters Set for Installation Across Freetown

Guma Valley Water Company has commenced the installation of 2,120 water meters across Freetown, with 557 already installed, as part of efforts to improve customer management, billing, accountability and water service delivery.

The figures were disclosed during a Delivery Clinic convened by the Chief Minister’s Office, where the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and its agencies provided updates on efforts to expand access to safe drinking water.

Guma Valley Managing Director Ing. Marian Kallon said the company is covering the cost of meters and installation for existing customers, while new customers and those requiring meter replacements or additional meter-related work will bear the applicable costs.

Kallon disclosed that Guma Valley has about 90,000 registered beneficiaries, of whom approximately 32,000 are active and 18,000 are currently being billed. He said the company is working to improve service delivery before billing customers who are active in its records but are not currently receiving water.

He also revealed that Guma Valley’s water storage capacity has increased from 72,000 to approximately 132,000 cubic metres, following the addition of 60,000 cubic metres.

Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh said the water sector was making sustained progress, with Guma Valley expanding systems in eastern and western Freetown while investing in metering, leakage detection and repairs. He urged the company to be deliberate in the meter rollout, noting its importance to improved service delivery and accountability.

Sengeh acknowledged that Freetown does not yet have 24-hour water coverage in all areas but said access has improved in communities from Angola to Babadorie and Allen Town.

He also urged residents to protect forests and water catchment areas, avoid tampering with water pipes, report leakages through Guma Valley’s toll-free line 246, and pay for the water they consume.