SMART water metering is reshaping the future of water management, with over 15 000 families and businesses now connected to the digital system across the country.
The development has helped eradicate long standing challenges such as unfair water bills.
Rewind five years when the Karoi community was on post-paid water meters, their approach to managing the water resource was indifferent, prompting challenges of high water bills.
The introduction of smart water meters, an initiative implemented through a partnership between the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and Helcraw Water, has changed their story.
“It was really a nightmare getting a bill that was almost shocking. But since the smart meters were introduced last year, I can plan around what I use each month. From a bill of US$30 , I am now paying halffor my water,” said a resident.
Installation of 15 000 smart water meter units in Karoi, Guruve, Gokwe, Hwange and Mvuma is proving the efficacy of this solution.
Admire Mbalo, a resident in Gokwe’s Njelele Suburb, is one among many realising the benefit of this system.
He has left his work station at the close-by centre, to make a purchase of his water voucher, before heading home to recharge.
He tells ZBC News how Njelele residents bore the heavy yoke of buying water at US$four per 200 litres, due to the scarcity of the commodity.
“For many of us here, we will tell you that smart water metres are the way to go. Our lives have been greatly improved and even the availability of water is now guaranteed. The beauty of it all is that we pay for what we only use,” he said.
Theirs are stories of hope.
“I used to be very sceptical about these smart meters. But then after embracing them, I have seen how they have assisted to eradicate some of the unfair systems that had prevailed when at came to billing. Sometimes I am away for three months, and previously I would pay for a bill even for water that I had not used. With smart meters I know that if I purchase water, I can manage it for when I return without any hassles,” noted Karoi resident, Mr Boniface Nyakudya.
Globally, the smart water meters are being adopted to protect the water resource as they enable real-time monitoring and consumption control, a benefit visible for communities now on the grid.
“There were times when there will be leakages on our systems, and the water loss would be charged on our bills. It was quiet taxing for us, but all this is now in the past,” said Gokwe resident Ms Normal Tamai
Harare is looking to replicate these successes as it readies to roll-out prepaid water meters after an agreement between Harare City Council, Hangzhou Liaison Technology Company and Helcraw Electrical under a build, operate and transfer model.
