The 2010 META Conference Registration form(s) are now available for download from the IURPA Web Site:

Registration Form: http://iurpa.org/download/2010metaregform.doc

Vendor Registration Form: http://iurpa.org/download/2010metavendform.doc

Jeff Meyer, META


Report cable theft, Buffalo City has urged its residents, as a task team works tirelessly to clamp down on the problem.

Theft of copper cables predominantly occurs in Duncan Village, Cambridge, Arnoldton and around the airport.

The task team includes officials from the City's revenue protection unit, the electricity operations law enforcement unit, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the appointed electricity contractor.

Seven suspects were arrested recently for allegedly stealing copper and lead sheath worth R400. "Copper and lead sheath was identified at a scrap metal dealer in town as being identical to that which was stolen and the suspects confessed to committing the crime," said Chris Gower from the City's electricity department.

The new legislated Second Hand Goods Bill required that dealers recorded the identity numbers of people selling copper to them "and in this case the vehicle transporting the goods was also identified as transporting [other] goods that were identified in numerous [other] copper sale transactions".

According to the electricity department, copper cable theft cost the municipality millions of rand each year – money that "could be spent on service delivery".

"Copper cable theft affects ratepayers negatively because it is costly to fix the problems, and these costs have to be borne by [ratepayers]," explained the director of engineering services, Nceba Ncunyana. "It also affects business production and ultimately the economy as a whole."

www.buffalocity.gov.za
By Tabisa Mntengwana 


With an average loss of about 90 000 kilolitres of water per day, eThekwini municipality has taken steps to deal with its water losses by investing in a multi-million-rand replacement programme.

eThekwini’s Water and Sanitation (EWS) Head, Neil Macleod, explained that with the eThekwini water demand rising, and leaks escalating due to the old crumbling pipe infrastructure, the municipality realized that it had to act fast in order to prevent demand exceeding supply.

In the 2009 financial year R37.3m was invested into water loss reduction projects and another R65m has been budgeted for 2010.

Neil Macleod said projects like the Asbestos Cement (AC) Pipe Replacement programme are expected to provide at least 50 years of leak-free service to the municipality. eThekwini’s Water and Sanitation has also improved the customer billing service. More than 3020 water meters that were installed in the 1970s and earlier have already been replaced and the new meters are monitored to ensure accurate measurements.

Macleod also explained that Pressure management proved to be one of the most effective interventions. By reducing the water pressure, water loss could be reduced by 70-million litres a day and every R1m invested on pressure management translates into a R3m saving on water losses.

The eThekwini municipality has set its sights at reducing leaks so that within a decade the loss can be held steady at 23%. According to World Bank publications, this would place the eThekwini Municipality in the top 35% of water systems in the developed world and in the top 15% in the developing world.

Please mark your calendars for this year’s 2010 IURPA / SURPA International Conference being held from June 15th – 18th, 2010.

This year’s conference will be held at the Doubletree Resort - 10100 International Drive, Orlando, Florida; Room Rates $99.00
Phone # 1-800-327-0363; Group Name: SURPA

Please click on the following link for more information on the resort: www.orlandointernationaldrive.doubletree.com 

Additional information on the conference will be provided at a later date.

If you have any questions feel free to contact Susan Reinhardt, SURPA, President at susan.reinhardt@pgnmail.com or (727) 523-7626. 

Date: September 22, 23 & 24
Location: Queensbury Hotel, 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls, NY 1-518-792-1121

The NURPA Board is beginning to put together an agenda for the upcoming fall conference.

Registration will be on Wednesday, September 22nd from 1:00 – 4:00 with the vendor products and services display beginning at 4:00 pm.

Please note that registration AND conference fee must be in by August 22nd.

A formal agenda will be posted as soon as possible for those who need approval pending an agenda.

Conference fees will be announced as soon as discussions with the hotel are complete.

George A. Balsamo
Meter Security Manager
The United Illuminating Company
157 Church Street
Mail Stop 10-B
New Haven, CT 06510
George.Balsamo@uinet.com
Phone (203) 499-3201
Fax (203) 499-3286