No Going Back On Smart Water Meters – Mafume

Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, says the city’s smart water meter project is progressing and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, despite strong opposition from residents.

The Harare Residents’ Trust (HRT), along with other civic groups, has criticised the planned rollout of pre-paid water meters, arguing it undermines the constitutional right to water access for all.

However, speaking on Monday at a Town House meeting, Mafume defended the initiative, saying it is intended to replace outdated water meters with a modern, intelligent system capable of detecting leaks and improving both billing accuracy and overall water management. He said:

“The water meter project is now on the ground. Agreements are in place, and the meters, manufactured in China, will soon be imported.

“By year-end, we expect significant improvements in water billing, availability and quality, alongside major rehabilitation works at water treatment facilities

“The first batch of installations will begin shortly, with some work starting in the coming weeks.”

To date, 15,000 households have benefited from the pilot phase, with a full city-wide rollout now underway.

In 2014, Bulawayo City Council was forced to scrap a similar pre-paid water meter project following widespread protests from residents.

The government has since announced plans to implement the water meter project nationwide, beginning with Harare.

The initiative also involves replacing ageing asbestos and zinc piping, some of which dates back several decades, and upgrading infrastructure at the Morton Jaffray Waterworks, Harare’s main water treatment facility.

More: NewsDay

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