Kenya Slum Mathare Gets Cheap Water Through ATMs

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Residents of the Mathare slum area of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, are now able to access water through an ATM-style dispenser.

People living in slums traditionally rely on vendors, who are expensive, or polluted sources to get drinking water.

But the new system, where people use a smart card, is designed to provide cheaper and cleaner water.

The water company is opening four of these dispensers in Nairobi and there are hopes the scheme will be expanded.

A version of the scheme has been used in rural areas in Kenya, but it is thought this is the first time that it will be used in an urban area.

Residents swipe the smart cards, topped up at a kiosk or through a mobile phone, at the dispenser and water starts flowing from the tap.

Source: BBC (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Agriculture, Health Care