Grootfontein: The Grootfontein Municipality has made significant strides in its transition to a prepaid water management system, successfully installing 3,400 prepaid water meters across the town since December 2025. This development marks an important phase in the municipality's broader project, which aims to install approximately 7,000 meters for various users, including households, businesses, government buildings, and churches.According to Namibia Press Agency, Municipal Public Relations Officer Luke Salomo confirmed that the installations are currently mandatory and provided at no cost to residents. However, he warned that this free installation period is not permanent. Salomo stated, "Those who delay registering their names and who are still on the conventional water meter system will, at a later stage, be asked to pay an installation fee." He also highlighted that the shift to a prepaid system is already benefiting the municipality by enhancing revenue collection and promoting financial sustainabilit y.Residents have expressed support for the initiative, noting the increased transparency and control over monthly water expenses. Willie Horaseb, a 60-year-old resident of the Welcome location, shared that the system has fostered more responsible water use within his household. He remarked, "We are really thankful because since December, we all know that we have to buy water before using it, and this is a relief from the monthly water bills which were only sent to us after using the water." Under the new system, Horaseb's municipal account now includes charges only for refuse removal, hygiene rates, and taxes.Similarly, Petronella Gowases, a 35-year-old resident from the TransNamib residential area, had her prepaid meter installed in January. She observed that her and her two children's water consumption averages around N.dollars 200. Gowases appreciated the municipality's efforts, stating, "We thank the municipality for this new system as we now use water carefully. We know once it is finished we have to walk to town to buy water. We only use what we can afford."Grootfontein, which has held municipal status since 1947, continues to abstract and process its water supply from local underground reservoirs.