Water Intel. Regulatory News (WATR)

15 Sep 2005 07:00

Qonnectis plc15 September 2005 For Immediate Release 15 September 2005 Qonnectis plc International Contract Win Qonnectis plc, ("Qonnectis" or "the Company") , the provider of remotemonitoring and metering services to business users of energy and water,announces that, via its sub-Saharan African business partner, ConsolidatedAfrican Technologies Pty Limited ("CAT"), it has been awarded a contract by theWater Utilities Corporation of Botswana ("The Water Utilities Corporation" or"WUC") to implement its "Qonnectis Network"' Internet-based water meteringservices at key sites within WUC's network, with an initial twelve sites to beconnected, and up to 140 sites in total. This represents Qonnectis' secondnotable utility order outside Europe, and the first in continental Africa. The Water Utilities Corporation, which is wholly-owned by the BotswananGovernment, provides water supply management services within urban areas ofBotswana. WUC operates along commercial lines and has been instrumental inmeeting the water requirements of major development projects which, in turn,have contributed immensely to the economic growth of the country. This contract was awarded following a successful field trial in Botswana, whichcaptured critical water management data, thereby convincing the Water UtilitiesCorporation that it should opt for Qonnectis' technology. Water is a finite andscarce resource in Botswana, due to the country's semi-arid climate. Hence, itis crucial that water reserves are managed efficiently to ensure that WUC isable to meet both current and future demand. Michael Tapia, CEO of Qonnectis plc, commented: "We are very pleased that Water Utilities Corporation of Botswana has chosenConsolidated African Technologies to provide Qonnectis' remote monitoring oftheir major water meters. This contract win is very encouraging as itdemonstrates the wider international appeal of Qonnectis' patented technology,which is applicable equally to harsher climatic conditions than thosehistorically prevalent in Europe." David Nagle, Managing Director of Consolidated Technologies Pty Limited, added: "We have been working with the Water Utilities Corporation since August 1996 toprovide them with world class technologies for resource management. Botswana isfacing growing urban water demand, so Qonnectis' ability to provide real-timemonitoring of water flow and consumption will be a key element in WUC'sintegrated approach to water management, facilitating revenue generation as wellas network optimisation." Notes to Editors About Qonnectis plcListed on the London AIM market, Qonnectis provides remote data collectiontechnology and analytical services to the energy, water and environmentalindustries worldwide. Its technology provides communications with and datacollection from any remote devices, such as energy meters or temperaturesensors, via the Internet. Qonnectis' services, operated from its UK datacentre, enable utilities and end users to monitor their networks in real time,24-hours a day. For further information, visit www.qonnectis.com. About Consolidated African Technologies Pty Limited ("CAT")Qonnectis appointed CAT to promote its water and energy meter informationsolutions in 2004. Consolidated African Technologies is South Africa's leadingprovider of automated meter reading solutions. The company has supplied morethan 400 systems throughout Africa including ESKOM, Africa's largest powergenerator and distributor. ENQUIRIES: Qonnectis plc Tel: 020 8893 4766Michael Tapia, Chief Executive Bankside Consultants Tel: 020 7367 8888Michael Padley/Susan Scott ENDS This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange