Harare residents, Helcraw work together to solve water meter concerns

Harare- In a remarkable display of community cooperation, Harare residents are joining hands with the City of Harare and Helcraw Water to address concerns about prepaid water meter readings, transforming a potential crisis into an opportunity for dialogue and innovation. The collaborative effort began when residents noticed discrepancies in their water meter readings, prompting both the city and Helcraw to investigate thoroughly. The joint response has been praised for its transparency and commitment to finding solutions that benefit all parties involved.

“At first I was worried, but when I saw how quickly the council and Helcraw responded to our concerns, I felt reassured. They came to our neighborhood, explained everything, and even showed us how to check our meters properly,” says Margaret Chikwanha, a mother of three from Mabelreign. “It’s comforting to know they care about our concerns.” Farai Jere, Helcraw Water chairman, in a joint statement with the City of Harare, explained the technical aspects behind the readings.

“Abnormal hydraulic conditions caused by pipe bursts, maintenance work and repairs may result in air entering the distribution network. When water supplies are restored, the pressure from trapped air can reportedly cause meters to record usage even when little or no water is flowing.” The city has since launched an educational campaign to help residents understand these technical challenges. Community meetings have been held across various suburbs, with technical teams demonstrating how trapped air can affect readings and showing residents how to bleed their systems properly.

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“We’ve lived in this neighborhood for 20 years, and I’ve never seen such proactive engagement from our local authorities,” shares Thomas Moyo, a retired teacher from Highfields. “They didn’t just send a statement; they came to our community hall, answered every question, and even left contact numbers for follow-up. That’s the kind of service we need.” The partnership has yielded positive results, with Helcraw deploying additional technical teams to assist residents experiencing difficulties .

The company has also introduced a new monitoring system to detect air pockets before they affect meter readings. The city has committed to regular maintenance updates and improved communication channels to keep residents informed about infrastructure work that might affect water supply. This proactive approach has strengthened trust between the community and service providers.

“We appreciate our residents’ patience and understanding,” the joint statement continued. “Together with Helcraw, we are committed to ensuring accurate billing and reliable water supply for all Harare residents. We encourage anyone experiencing difficulties to reach out to our dedicated support team.” This collaborative effort demonstrates how challenges can bring communities together, creating stronger partnerships and better services for everyone in Harare.

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