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Many bulk water users had been failing to pay for Zinwa’s expensive water, leading high rate of defaulting.
The water utility is owed over US$27,3 million by farmers and councils.
Said Minister Nkomo: “The raw water consumers, who comprise industry, local authorities, estates and farmers have cited various reasons for their failure to honour their debts with most of them complaining about the current tariff regime, which they say is too high.”
He said Zinwa has to change its agreements with farmers who used to be charged based on allocations. The new arrangement is that consumers would charge based on actual consumption.
“The current billing system, which is based on allocations as per agreements entered into between Zinwa and raw water users, shall also change to usage based billing,” he said.
The arrangement does, however, not affect farming estates, as they would still work on allocations.
But if they fail to utilise their allocations they would be obliged to pay a prescribed amount, being the cost incurred by the authority in keeping the water.
He urged water users to pay for its provision to ensure continued availability.
Online Reporter