Harare, (New Ziana)-The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has so far installed 35 566 prepaid water meters for consumers in small towns, growth points and rural service centres where residents have welcomed them as a solution to address queries associated with post billing, an official said on Monday.
The roll out of the prepaid water meters followed successful piloting of the concept in Mvurwi, Mazowe district, Mashonaland Central province and Chivhu in Chikomba district, Mashonaland East province between 2019 and 2021 when the full-scale rollout commenced.
In a statement to New Ziana on Monday, ZINWA head of corporate affairs and marketing Marjorie Munyonga said residents have welcomed prepaid water meters as an address to post-paid billing issues and allows them greater flexibility and control over their water use and consumption patterns.
“Unlike with the post-paid metering system where consumers use water without an idea of how much the water would cost at the end of the month and at times accrue huge debts, the prepaid system makes it possible for users to determine their monthly water budgets,” she said.
She said the prepaid meters have been installed in Gutu, Chivhu, Mvurwi, Murambinda, Guruve, Murehwa, Mutoko, Nyanga, Hwange, Gokwe, Filabusi, Karoi and Glendale.
“The prepaid water meters also help utilities to improve service delivery as resources normally deployed to post- paid metering, such as monthly meter readings, will now be used for other purposes such repairs and maintenance of the water treatment and distribution systems,” said Munyonga.
The prepaid water meters are targeting domestic clients, businesses, schools, churches, parastatals and other institutions.
ZINWA is currently installing prepaid water meters in Nyika, Bikita district, Masvingo province following the successful roll out in Gutu last month, said Munyonga.
She said the water authority has taken delivery of 5 250 prepaid meters for roll out and installation in Gutu, Nyika, Chirundu and Zaka, among other centres.
“Once the installations in Nyika are completed, the rollout is expected to move to the border town of Chirundu,” she said.
The installation of the prepaid water meters is expected to spread to other small towns, growth points and rural service centres where ZINWA provides potable water.
New Ziana
