Residents Welcome City’s Prepaid Water Meter Rollout

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City of Harare in partnership with Helcraw Water Pvt Ltd rolls out first phase of prepaid water meters City of Harare in partnership with Helcraw Water Pvt Ltd rolls out first phase of prepaid water meters

Harare residents have welcomed the rollout of prepaid water meters, describing it as a long-overdue step towards fairness, accountability, and reliable water supply.

The installation, led by the City of Harare in partnership with Helcraw Water Private Limited, has begun at Birdcage Walk Flats and Calder Gardens.

This comes as residents have long suffered from paying hefty water bills despite enduring dry taps and questionable meter estimates.

Now, with prepaid meters, residents will pay only for what they use and if the initiative runs effectively, it could restore long-lost trust and dignity between ratepayers and the city.

Speaking at the installation site yesterday, Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) chairperson Shalvar Chikomba said the initiative could help end years of billing frustrations and unreliable water supplies.

“This is a milestone for us as residents because before, we were paying for water without water in our taps,” said Chikomba.

“We believe what is happening here will go a long way in solving the water crisis. We are urging all residents to embrace this project and will continue to push for its success.”

Helcraw Water Private Limited Chief Executive Officer Brandon Jere said the company had successfully completed the integration of the new smart system, with the first phase covering 22 households at Birdcage Walk Flats before expansion to other areas.

“We are replacing postpaid meters with prepaid ones, but the tariffs remain the same,” said Jere.

“Residents will now pay only for what they use, eliminating billing disputes based on estimates. Our team has already started installations, and residents have been very receptive to the project.”

He added that the technology was fully compatible with the city’s billing infrastructure, ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions to supply.

Backing the initiative, Laison Technologies Vice President Clark Dai whose firm supplies the smart meter technology said Harare’s pilot could serve as a model for other cities in Zimbabwe.

“We are honoured to work with Helcraw Water to deliver this advanced smart meter solution,” Dai said.

“This system is designed to improve bill collection efficiency and provide accurate, real-time data.

 Beyond technology, we are transferring know-how to ensure sustainability and empower local staff to manage the system effectively.”