Harare ready for full scale prepaid water meters

Bianca Leboho : Herald Reporter
Harare City Council is set to embark on a full scale roll out of prepaid water meters following a successful pilot project, it has been learnt. It began the installation in May, as part of a pilot study to determine the feasibility of the gadgets. Speaking after a tour of some suburbs in which the installation of water meters has been carried out so far, Harare City spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme said the authority would soon roll out full scale installations.

“The pilot project we are currently carrying out has proved that prepaid water meters are indeed a great way of conserving water.

“Financially, prepaid water meters will ensure that instead of defaulting people pay off their bills prior to receiving service which will give us the financial muscle we need to invest back into our water system and thus improve its quality and availability”, said Mr Chideme.

The installation of prepaid water meters in the capital has been on the cards since 2011, but successfully commenced in May this year.

The pilot roll out of prepaid water meters was being carried out in suburbs such as Kambuzuma, Letombo, Avenues, Rhodesville and Eastlea among others.

“We have received positive feedback especially from residential house owners who can now easily manage and ensure that tenants pay for water as they use it thereby avoiding the accumulation of bills,” he said.