News / National
Harare residents call for rebates over dirty water
2 hrs ago |
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HARARE Ward 41 residents have called on the City of Harare and Helcraw to consider offering rebates on water tariffs amid ongoing concerns over the quality and muddy appearance of water supplied to households.
Ward 41 councillor Kudzai Kadzombe said residents had raised the issue during a ward feedback and budget meeting, arguing that they should not be required to pay full tariffs for water they consider unfit for normal household use.
Residents said they had been receiving poor-quality water for some time, with some arguing that the water was so dirty that it could not even be used to wash a car.
The issue dominated the feedback meeting, despite residents welcoming the rollout of smart water meters.
According to Kadzombe, residents said the smart meters had contributed to an increase in property values while also offering a potential solution to Harare's long-running water challenges.
The City of Harare recently attributed reports of dirty water in high-density suburbs, including Kuwadzana, to sludge from reservoirs undergoing cleaning.
However, Ward 41 residents said the problem had persisted for longer than the recent reservoir-cleaning exercise.
Some residents also questioned how sludge from reservoirs was reaching household taps, arguing that water storage facilities should have appropriate systems for controlled drainage, flushing and cleaning.
"City management, water reservoirs are supposed to have properly designed scour pipes and scour chambers specifically to cater for draining, flushing and cleaning of the tanks," resident Tatenda Kelvin Zezai said in a comment on the council's official Facebook page.
Another resident, Rambirai Zvoma, said the condition of the water reflected years of inadequate maintenance.
"It shows kuti you never take care of the tank for years," Zvoma said.
Residents are now calling for the authorities to address the water-quality concerns while also considering financial relief for households that continue to receive poor-quality supplies.
The demand for rebates comes as Harare continues to grapple with ageing water infrastructure, supply interruptions and concerns over the quality of water delivered to residents.
Ward 41 councillor Kudzai Kadzombe said residents had raised the issue during a ward feedback and budget meeting, arguing that they should not be required to pay full tariffs for water they consider unfit for normal household use.
Residents said they had been receiving poor-quality water for some time, with some arguing that the water was so dirty that it could not even be used to wash a car.
The issue dominated the feedback meeting, despite residents welcoming the rollout of smart water meters.
According to Kadzombe, residents said the smart meters had contributed to an increase in property values while also offering a potential solution to Harare's long-running water challenges.
The City of Harare recently attributed reports of dirty water in high-density suburbs, including Kuwadzana, to sludge from reservoirs undergoing cleaning.
However, Ward 41 residents said the problem had persisted for longer than the recent reservoir-cleaning exercise.
Some residents also questioned how sludge from reservoirs was reaching household taps, arguing that water storage facilities should have appropriate systems for controlled drainage, flushing and cleaning.
"City management, water reservoirs are supposed to have properly designed scour pipes and scour chambers specifically to cater for draining, flushing and cleaning of the tanks," resident Tatenda Kelvin Zezai said in a comment on the council's official Facebook page.
Another resident, Rambirai Zvoma, said the condition of the water reflected years of inadequate maintenance.
"It shows kuti you never take care of the tank for years," Zvoma said.
Residents are now calling for the authorities to address the water-quality concerns while also considering financial relief for households that continue to receive poor-quality supplies.
The demand for rebates comes as Harare continues to grapple with ageing water infrastructure, supply interruptions and concerns over the quality of water delivered to residents.
Source - ZiFM Stereo
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