Harare installs 40,000 smart water meters

More than 40,000 households in Harare have been fitted with prepaid smart water meters under the city's ongoing water management modernisation programme.

The initiative, being implemented by the City of Harare in partnership with Helcraw Water, is part of broader efforts to improve water efficiency, reduce losses and enhance service delivery to residents.

According to the City Council, the target for this year is to install 100,000 smart water meters as authorities push to modernise billing systems and promote responsible water usage.

At the same time, the city has embarked on a major rehabilitation of the Morton Jaffray Water Works, a key facility responsible for supplying water to the capital.

"Currently, the plant is producing on average slightly over 300 megalitres a day, but with the coming in of Helcraw, production is expected to rise to around 520 megalitres a day upon completion of the ongoing works," the council said in a statement.

Authorities noted that ageing infrastructure has been a major contributor to water losses, particularly through leaks in old pipelines. As part of the rehabilitation programme, the City of Harare is replacing outdated pipes to curb wastage and improve distribution efficiency.

"The City of Harare has been losing water through leakages caused by old water pipes, but through its partnership with Helcraw, the City is replacing the old pipes," the statement added.

Officials say the combined efforts-rehabilitating Morton Jaffray Water Works, upgrading pipelines and rolling out smart water meters-are expected to significantly ease persistent water challenges affecting several suburbs in Harare.

The project forms part of wider infrastructure upgrades aimed at ensuring sustainable and reliable water supply for the city's growing population.