Bulawayo moves to smart water billing

The Bulawayo City Council is set to roll out 2 500 smart prepaid water meters in the city's central business district as part of a broader drive to improve revenue collection, reduce water wastage, and modernise service delivery.

The initiative targets commercial properties and high-consumption users, who will now be required to purchase water credits before usage. Officials say the system is designed to curb non-payment, eliminate estimated billing, and promote accountability among consumers, especially as the city continues to face water shortages.

The prepaid meter rollout forms part of a wider debt recovery strategy aimed at boosting municipal revenue. According to council plans, the pilot programme is expected to be completed by 31 December 2026, with additional measures including structured payment plans to help recover outstanding debts.

The council is targeting an estimated US$11 million through flexible payment arrangements, while also intensifying disconnection efforts. Plans are in place to increase disconnection teams, deploy additional labour for notice delivery, and expand the city's enforcement capacity to ensure compliance.

Beyond enforcement, the municipality is exploring technological solutions, including a meter-reading mobile application or a WhatsApp-based system integrated into its billing platform. A dedicated debt management unit is also being established, supported by new staff, equipment, and infrastructure to strengthen revenue collection.

Further measures include targeting properties with unpaid accounts, even pursuing legal attachment and sale of immovable assets to recover debts—an approach expected to generate up to US$15 million. The council is also engaging government and parastatal institutions in a proposed debt swap to recover about US$10 million owed to the city.

During council discussions, some councillors raised concerns about over-reliance on disconnections and suggested exploring debt factoring as an alternative strategy. Others welcomed the prepaid meter initiative, noting that similar plans had been approved in the past but not implemented.

Council leadership, through Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, has assured stakeholders that the outlined timelines will be adhered to and that the new strategies will be executed effectively.

The move marks a significant shift toward digital utility management, reflecting broader efforts by the city to address revenue leakages while improving service delivery and financial sustainability.