RUMBIDZAI Makara (45) is a happy woman following a successful water connection in December last year at her homestead in Chikangwe high-density suburb, Karoi in Mashonaland West province.
She is among hundreds of women who had endured a water crisis that had gripped the farming town for a long time.
“We had the best Christmas ever after our water was reconnected. It was like a new lease of life to us after we had gone for nearly 20 years without water flowing out of our taps,” she said.
A mother of four, she is among several women who had endured early morning trips to fetch water from different sources.
“Sometimes we used to get water from unprotected sources,” she told NewsDay Weekender.
“It was unhealthy, but that was the only hope for us.
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“We are grateful for prepaid water meters. They have made a positive difference.”
Karoi town is the first port of call for Helcraw Electrical (Pvt) Ltd, a company that started it’s journey in 2021 towards the implementation of Smart Prepaid Water Meters and Management System for the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).
Karoi Urban Residents Association (KURA) chairperson Trymore Chinembiri welcomed prepaid water meters saying they had brought hope and relief.
“We are happy because of the prepaid water meter installations, where we get what we have already paid for,” he said.
“The prepaid water meters were installed in a professional way and residents had no difficulties in using them.
“The water meters brought relief to residents who felt shortchanged and overcharged by the estimates by Zinwa.”
He added that the water meters solved the issue of overestimated bills.
“We hope Zinwa will help on sewage fixed charge. As KURA, we applaud prepaid water meters as a step in the right direction among residents. It’s a noble cause,” Chinembiri said.
Progressive Karoi Residents Association added its voice saying the move is good in alleviating water shortages.
“Most residents, especially in Chikangwe, had gone without water for several years and experienced a range of emotions and have various expectations,” a statement by the residents organisation read.
“There was relief and gratitude when water supply was restored, even if it is intermittent or limited. It has improved health and hygiene due to access to clean water for drinking, cooking and sanitation.
“Prolonged water scarcity posed health challenges and it will be thing of the past.”
Helcraw Electrical had its first installation in Karoi farming town in 2021. The town falls under the Manyame catchment and to date, there are about 6 000 smart prepaid water meters fully commissioned and working successfully in Karoi.
According to a statement from the company, the prepaid water meters have been commissioned in the Zinwa catchment areas dotted around the country.
“These include Gwayi catchment, Hwange Service Centre with an approximately 4 000 smart prepaid water meters, Sanyati catchment, Gokwe Service Centre with an approximately 4 000 smart prepaid water meters.
“Other areas include Guruve service centre under Manyame that had 900 smart prepaid water meters installed,” the statement read.
Helcraw Electrical installed and commissioned bulk smart prepaid water meters in Beitbridge, Gwanda and Mvuma for Zinwa.
“As part of regional drive aimed at providing smart systems towards alleviating water problems being face by water utilities, Helcraw Electrical (Pvt) Ltd was award a contract to supply and installed 43 000 smart prepaid water meters in FIPAG’s AdRC (Central province) in Mozambique. This comes after the successful implementation of a pilot project in Xaixai, Mozambique which falls under the AdRS (Southern Region),” the statement further read.
“The smart prepaid meters have revolutionised operations within water utilities and have managed to addressed ballooning legacy debt, non-revenue water (NRW) as a result of both physical (water leakages) and commercial losses (bill estimations as a result of faulty meters, and un-metered customers as a result of poorly managed database.”
Recently, Helcraw Electrical won a tender to partner Harare City Council on water operations.
A new water treatment plant and smart meters are planned for construction in Harare, aimed at enhancing water supply for residents.
This initiative promises to improve access to clean water for residents, ensuring a more reliable, cost-effective and efficient supply system.
The deal involves the Local Government Ministry, the City of Harare, Hangzhou Laison Technology Company, and Helcraw Electrical.
Brendon Jere, chief executive officer of Helcraw Electrical, said the water plant, distribution and billing system are part of a comprehensive plan to ensure water reaches all residents of Harare sustainably.
Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba noted that prepaid water meters and the conventional water meters serve the same purpose of recording water consumption.
“There is no point in pushing for prepaid water meters when all that is needed is the revamping of the water distribution network which continues to lose 60% of treated water through leakages and illegal connections,” Shumba said in a written response.