Harare Correspondent
Harare residents are pushing back against the city council’s plan to install prepaid water meters, citing concerns over the council’s inability to provide reliable and potable water.
The Harare Residents Trust (HRT) emphasizes that the council needs to get its own house in order before introducing prepaid meters.
“As residents, we expect the council to replace all dysfunctional water meters and ensure regular readings before even thinking about prepaid meters,” the HRT statement reads.
“The council should also undertake intensive underground pipe replacement to harness all treated water, considering that 60% of it is lost through leakages and illegal connections”.
The main issues with the prepaid meter plan are:
- Inaccurate Billing: The council’s billing system needs to be sorted out to ensure accuracy in billing for services rendered.
- Water Loss: 60% of treated water is lost due to leakages and illegal connections on the water distribution network.
- Dysfunctional Meters: Many water meters are not working correctly, leading to estimated bills rather than actual readings.
Residents are worried that prepaid meters will only exacerbate these problems. Instead, they want the council to focus on providing adequate potable water and fixing the existing infrastructure before introducing new systems.
The Harare City Council’s plan has been met with resistance from various quarters, with many residents expressing concerns that prepaid meters will lead to a health disaster. The council needs to address these concerns and prioritize the provision of reliable and safe water to its residents.
Zim GBC News©2024