Warren Park Residents Decry Prepaid Water Meters

Harare MetropolitanNewsWarren Park-Scores of Warren Park residents have criticised Harare City Council for imposing prepaid water meters, which they say are worsening access to water.At a meeting facilitated by the Community Water Alliance (CWA) on Thursday, residents voiced strong dissatisfaction with the meters.Nonagenarian Amos Mapuranga, who had paid his water rates in advance, expressed bitterness over his inability to access water post-installation, despite assurances that his payment would cover billing.“I am furious with the local authorities for lying to me that after the installation of the prepaid water meter, I would be billed using the advance payment I had made. Ever since the meter was installed, I have failed to get water,” he fumed.Another resident, who requested anonymity, claimed they were misled about cost savings.“Before they installed these prepaid water meters, we were told this would reduce our water tariffs, but to our surprise, the rates have shot up,” she said.This reporter observed palpable anger at the meeting. Initially, some residents mistook CWA conveners for city council officials and brought Harare tap water in 5-litre containers, intending to make officials drink it to highlight contamination concerns.Resident Rasta said they had hoped prepaid meters would improve water quality.“This is retrogressive.

We thought prepaid water meters would mean we would drink safe water, but it remains undrinkable due to evident contamination,” he said.CWA national coordinator Goodlife Mudzingwa accused the City Council of bad faith, prioritising meters over infrastructure rehabilitation.“One thing you should know is that the installation of prepaid meters was made possible through a loan secured from China. What beats logic is that Harare loses non-revenue water at nearly 60%. Instead of using the loan to address this perennial loss, the City Fathers are focused on billing residents when water is rarely available,” Mudzingwa argued.He urged residents to voice grievances peacefully through proper channels.“I urge all of you with grievances about the prepaid meters to use the rightful channels.

For example, we can help you sue Harare City Council,” he said.This is not Harare’s first attempt. A few years ago, a pilot project failed. A GIZ study revealed Zimbabwe lacks the technical capacity for prepaid water meters. The latest deal is between Harare City Council and Helcraw.