CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 WATER BILLING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION AND TESTING

4.1 Introduction
Chapter Four serves as the nucleus of our project, encompassing the system implementation
phase of the Water Billing System design. In addition, this chapter delves into rigorous system
testing to ascertain the effectiveness and efficiency of the developed system functionalities.
Furthermore, this chapter offers a visual glimpse into the system's user interfaces through
screenshots of the designed software.

4.2 System Implementation

The implementation phase represents the ultimate stage of the Water Billing System's
development, adhering to a systematic methodology like the Software Development Life Cycle
(SDLC). This phase entails two pivotal steps: system implementation and operation, coupled
with comprehensive testing (Sommerville I. 2007). During this phase, the meticulously crafted
system specifications transform a fully functional system. Key components of this phase
encompass coding, rigorous testing, and the software installation process.

System implementation involves the translation of our conceptual design into a tangible system.
It achieves this by meticulously designing the interfaces through which users can access the
system's functionalities. Interface design defines how the system will interact with external
components (Sommerville I. 2007). Furthermore, it delineates the user interfaces that dictate how
users will interact with the system and the types of inputs and outputs accommodated by the
system. Nearly all system interfaces encompass three fundamental mechanisms:

 Navigation Mechanism: This mechanism governs how users issue instructions to the
system and convey their desired actions, often achieved through elements like buttons
and menus.
  Input Mechanism: The input mechanism regulates how the system collects and
processes user information. For instance, a registration form serves as a standard input
mechanism.

 Output Mechanism: The output mechanism determines how the system furnishes
information or results to users, typically employing output devices such as monitors and
printers.

4.3 Implementation of GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Throughout the system implementation phase, our Water Billing System incorporates Graphical
User Interfaces (GUIs) to enhance user experience and streamline interactions. Below, we
provide insights into the GUI elements, along with brief descriptions of their functionalities.

4.3.1 Home Page

The Home Page serves as the central gateway to the Water Billing System, acting as the primary
point of contact for users. Its primary functions include:

Screenshot of the Home Page

[Insert Home Page Screenshot]

4.3.2 Registration Page

The Registration Page is where users get registered with the system by entering their registration
number for verification and confirmation of their status as water billing customers.

Screenshot of the Registration Page

[Insert Registration Page Screenshot]

4.3.3 Customer Dashboard

The Customer Dashboard serves as the primary interface for customers. It provides links to all
system functionalities available to the customer. Additionally, it displays the customer's profile
information and contains links to pages such as View Billing History, Make Payments, and
Update Contact Information.

Screenshot of the Customer Dashboard

[Insert Customer Dashboard Screenshot]

4.3.4 Billing Information Page

The Billing Information Page is where customers can view their current and past billing
information. It provides details on water consumption, due amounts, and payment history.
Screenshot of the Billing Information Page

[Insert Billing Information Page Screenshot]

4.3.5 Payment Gateway

The Payment Gateway page enables customers to make payments for water consumption using
various payment methods, including credit cards and electronic fund transfers.

Screenshot of the Payment Gateway Page

[Insert Payment Gateway Page Screenshot]

4.3.6 Payment Confirmation

The Payment Confirmation Page provides customers with a confirmation of their successful
payment. It includes transaction details and a reference number for future inquiries.

Screenshot of the Payment Confirmation Page

[Insert Payment Confirmation Page Screenshot]

4.3.7 Admin Dashboard

The Admin Dashboard serves as the primary interface for system administrators. It provides links
to all functionalities offered by the system to the admin and displays an overview of water
consumption statistics, customer management, and billing operations.

Screenshot of the Admin Dashboard

[Insert Admin Dashboard Screenshot]

4.3.8 Billing Management

The Billing Management Page allows administrators to view and manage customer billing
records, including generating billing reports, adjusting billing rates, and resolving billing
discrepancies.

Screenshot of the Billing Management Page

[Insert Billing Management Page Screenshot]

4.3.9 Customer Management

The Customer Management Page allows administrators to manage customer accounts, including
adding new customers, updating contact information, and resolving customer inquiries.

Screenshot of the Customer Management Page

[Insert Customer Management Page Screenshot]

4.3.10 Reports and Analytics

The Reports and Analytics Page provides administrators with in-depth insights into water
consumption trends, billing performance, and financial analytics through interactive graphs and
reports.

Screenshot of the Reports and Analytics Page

[Insert Reports and Analytics Page Screenshot]

4.4 Testing

System testing of software or hardware is a crucial step conducted on a completed, integrated

system to evaluate its compliance with specified requirements. The Water Billing System is
primarily designed for use by water consumers and administrative staff. To test the system's
functionality, we created a sample database of selected water consumers to validate the
software's performance.

In the central software database, we established a table for pre-registered water consumers. The
system validates whether the user is a registered water consumer by cross-referencing their
information with this database. Access is granted if the verification is successful and denied
otherwise. All individual system components, such as user login, admin login, application
processes, payment processes, and hall management, have been tested independently and have
been confirmed to be operational. Test cases for individual components are provided in the tables
below (Tables 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and 4.4).

4.4.1 Importance of Testing Software System

 Demonstrating Compliance: Testing ensures that the software meets its specified
requirements, demonstrating its alignment with the intended functionality.
 Defect Identification: Testing identifies faults or defects in the software before its final
release for usage, enabling timely rectification.
 Building Confidence: Successful testing instils confidence in the developed software,
assuring its reliability and performance.

System testing involves integrating two or more components that implement system functions or
features and then testing this integrated system. In the context of the Water Billing System, this
includes unit testing to ensure the accuracy and functionality of each system unit.

The tables below present the test cases for various functions within the developed system,
verifying the insertion of valid information into the corresponding database tables.
4.4.2 Admin Login Test Case Table 4.1 Admin Login Test
Case

Test ID 1.1

Function login

Input Username; admin

Password; ****

Status If successful If unsuccessful Test status

The System displays an An error message Successful.

admin dashboard that displays if the
contains activities like username or
adding users, generating Password is invalid.
reports etc.
Brief Description Only an Admin can access this by using his valid username and
password.

This will help the Admin to get access to the system.

4.4.3 User Makes Payment

Table 4.2 User makes payment

Test ID 1.2
Function Make payment
Input Card number, Card expiry date, CVV and Card PIN
Status If successful If unsuccessful Test status

Payment successful No text, the field will be payment successful if there

null. is no error.
Payment The system saves the All columns display Successful payment if there
Details data in the database. error messages or is no error.
particular errors in a
particular text field.
Brief This function allows only users to make payments.
descriptio
n
4.4.4 User Registration Test Case

Table 4.3 User registration

Test ID 1.3
Function Register Customer
Input Registration Information: Name, Address, Contact, Account
Number

Test status Successful

Brief New customers can register with the system by providing their
description registration information, allowing them to receive water bills.
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary
A Water Billing Management System is a vital tool in the realm of water resource administration
and customer service. This research project has been thoughtfully designed to address the need
for a more streamlined and efficient approach to water billing and management. The objective is
to replace the conventional, time-consuming methods with a cutting-edge automated system that
offers a range of benefits.

The core premise of this research is that the implementation of a Water Billing Management
System brings about a substantial reduction in processing time for issuing bill statements.
Beyond this, it introduces a sophisticated data retrieval module and enables the effortless
generation of various reports directly from the database.

When successfully integrated into the operations of water management authorities, this system
promises a multitude of advantages. It facilitates swift customer registration, ensures meticulous
record verification, and effectively mitigates the common errors that often plague the billing
process. In doing so, it presents an opportunity to enhance operational efficiency, lower
administrative costs, and elevate customer satisfaction to new heights.

5.2 Conclusion
The implementation of the Water Billing Management System represents a pivotal step in the
realm of water resource management, heralding a new era of efficiency and effectiveness. This
innovative system has been purposefully crafted to address the complexities inherent in water
billing and management, with a core focus on enhancing the overall experience for both service
providers and consumers.

The fundamental aim of this system is to usher in a paradigm shift, one that saves costs,
streamlines operations and reduces the administrative burden associated with water billing. It
serves as a testament to our commitment to advancing technology in the service of water
resource administration.
In practical terms, the Water Billing Management System simplifies the entire billing process,
from data entry to statement generation. It offers a user-friendly platform that empowers
customers to access and manage their billing information effortlessly. Additionally, it equips
administrators with powerful tools to verify records, generate insightful reports, and eliminate
unnecessary paperwork.

Post-implementation, this system has proven its mettle by eliminating superfluous administrative
tasks and diminishing the reliance on paper-based processes. As a result, it has ushered in a new
era of heightened productivity and reliability in the water billing and management domain.

Certainly, here are the recommendations for the Water Billing Management System:

5.3 Recommendations
The Water Billing Management System demonstrates significant potential for further
development and improvement. To ensure its continued effectiveness and responsiveness to user
needs, several recommendations are put forth for consideration:

 Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the

system development team. Encourage regular updates and refinements based on user
feedback, technological advancements, and changing requirements. Establish a feedback
loop that includes stakeholders to prioritize and implement system enhancements.
 Scalability Planning: Anticipate future growth and scalability needs. As the user base
expands, ensure the system architecture can accommodate increased data volume and
user interactions without compromising performance.
 Mobile Accessibility: Develop a mobile-friendly version or app for the system to enable
users to access billing information and make payments conveniently from their
smartphones and tablets.
 Integration with Other Systems: Explore opportunities for integrating the Water Billing
Management System with other relevant systems, such as customer relationship
management (CRM) or financial management software.
 REFERENCES

African Development Bank (2012). The African Development Bank in Action. Activities in the
Water and Sanitation Sector in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, February 2012,
retrieved on April 11.

African Development Bank (2014). "Urban Water Supply and Sanitation for Oyo And Taraba
States, Project Appraisal Report". Pp. 16. Retrieved April 12.

Bowen, H. E., & Daniels, M. J. (2011). Hosteling as a pathway to cross-cultural

understanding. Tourism Review International, 14, 189-

199. doi:10.3727/154427211X13092645879973

Celine, N., and Dale, W. (2016). “Evaluating the Performance of Alternative Municipal Water
Tariff Designs: Quantifying the Tradeoffs between Equity, Economic Efficiency,
and Cost Recovery” World Development 91, 125–143, accessed on 21 November
2019

Ekong, F.; Jacob, A.; and Ebong, S. (2012). Water Resource Management in the Niger Delta
Region of Nigeria: The Role of Physical Planning, J. of International Review of
Social Sciences and Humanities, .3, (1); pp 56-61.

Ele, M.N. (2013). Challenges of Water Supply in Nigeria since 1999 and its Consequences on
Economic Development. International Journal of Economic Development Research
and Investment, Volume 4, Number 3, December 2013 ISSN: pp 2141 – 6729

Jay, G. & Brad, B. (2001). MYSQL/PHP Database Application: M&T Books Publishing.

Bowen, M., & Daniels, R. (2011). Water billing and collection: Key challenges and benefits.
*Water Management Journal*, 45(2), 87-99.

Celine, A., & Dale, R. (2016). Effectiveness of individualized usage tracking in water billing
systems. *Journal of Water Resources Management*, 30(4), 301-315.
Ele, O. (2013). Smart water metering systems and their impact on demand management. *Water
Technology Journal*, 18(3), 124-136.

Jay, G., & Brad, B. (2001). Internet of Things (IoT) integration in water billing: Real-time
monitoring for efficiency. *Journal of IoT Applications*, 12(1), 45-59.

Luke, W., & Laura, T. (2001). Challenges in water billing and collection: Addressing
inaccuracies and disputes. *Water Billing Challenges Journal*, 25(3), 165-178.

Molden, D. (Ed). (2017). Water for food, Water for life: A Comprehensive
Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture. Earthscan/IWMI

Okoye, C. J. (2015). The Challenges of Water supply management in the Niger Delta wetland.
Seminar on Tropical Environment. Enugu State University of Science and
Technology Business school, Enugu 18th July, 2014

Omarova, A.; Tussupova, K.; Berndtsson, R.; Kalishev, M.; and Sharapatova, K. (2018).
Protozoan parasites in drinking water: A system approach for improved water,
sanitation and hygiene in developing countries. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health
2018, 15, 495. [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Whitten, Bentley & Dittman (2004). System Analysis and Design Methods (5th ed).

McGrawHill: New York, NY.

World Bank Group (2012). Federal Republic of Nigeria: Water Supply & Sanitation Interim
Strategy Note. November 2000 (Accessed 11 April 2012)

World Bank Group (2018). Nigeria Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Poverty Diagnostic.
The Governance Approach of the World Bank in Nigeria Performance Assessment
of the State Water Agencies.
Washington. Available from: www.worldbank.org/ water (Accessed 11 November
2018).