Bulawayo weighs adoption of smart water meters

THE City of Bulawayo should consider conducting wider consultations with different stakeholders including residents on the proposal to adopt smart water meters as part of measures to address the perennial problem of the faulty billing system, which forces residents to pay higher rates based on estimates.

A smart water meter, or digital water meter, is a modern device that measures and monitors water consumption in homes, businesses and other facilities. Unlike traditional water meters that rely on manual readings, smart water meters have various sensors and communication capabilities that allow for automated data collection and transmission.

The engagement follows the proposal by Bulawayo Deputy Mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, for the city to adopt smart water meters in response to numerous complaints of high water bills.

Residents and businesses in the city have been raising concerns about the city’s billing system and accuse council of estimating meter readings resulting in high water bills despite water rationing.

Council is owed US$50 million by defaulting ratepayers and has since resorted to attaching and auctioning movable properties as a way of recovering the debt.

Last month the business community wrote a letter to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works complaining about high water bills.

Commenting, Bulawayo Residents Association chairperson, Mr Winos Dube, said while technological advancement in the billing system was welcome, council should engage in wide consultations with ratepayers before adopting the deputy mayor’s proposal.

“If this new proposal is going to provide efficiency and accuracy then we will welcome it but before all this, council must engage residents and even the business community so that we all have a buy-in and avoid the blame game in the event of system failure,” said Mr Dube.

Experts say smart metres offer numerous benefits to water utilities and their customers as they help improve water management, reduce water waste, enhance customer service and contribute to the efficient and sustainable use of water.

They can also detect abnormal water usage patterns which could be caused by leaks.

In 2019, residents rejected a proposal by council to install prepaid water meters in the city.

A local technology expert, Mr Innocent Hadebe, who is also the chief executive officer of Bhungane Investments says he has already come up with a smart water meter, which he describes as cutting edge with great security and user-friendly features.

Mr Hadebe exhibited his innovation at this year’s Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and said the gadget allows users to monitor their water consumption while offering a solution for council to efficiently collect revenue.