Harare is set to receive 650,000 smart water meters and a new treatment plant as part of a bold initiative to tackle its ongoing water crisis. With tech-driven solutions, the city aims to ensure residents pay only for clean, delivered water.
This ambitious initiative marks a significant shift toward privatizing the city’s water supply systems and comes in response to a desperate appeal from Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Martin Rushwaya. WaThe joint project involves the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Harare, and prominent international manufacturers, including Hangzhou Laison Technology Company and Helcraw Electrical.
Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe announced the arrival of the smart water meters during the handover of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant to Laison Technology.
“We already have 40 brand new vehicles ready to start this programme. The shipment of 650,000 water meters is on its way, and we expect them to be here in the shortest period of time,” he stated.
Minister Garwe stress the role of technology in addressing the city’s water woes.
“Number one is to ensure that we move with technology and attach billing to it, using smart water metering systems, similar to those used for electricity. If Engineer Mazai wants to buy two millilitres of water, he will pay for exactly two millilitres of water,” he explained.
This approach aims to ensure residents pay only for the clean, delivered water they receive, rather than contaminated or undelivered supplies. The investors have already assessed Harare’s water situation and reported that Lake Chivero’s water is contaminated and in need of cleaning, while the Morton Jaffray plant requires refurbishment. Significant leakages in the water conveyancing system are causing a loss of purified water.
Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume hailed the partnership as a transformative step.“We have entered into a partnership which we are launching today, under the guidance of the Ministry. This partnership is going to be transformative; it will deal with the repair and upgrading of Morton Jaffray.”
He clarified that the City of Harare has not relinquished control of the plant but is collaborating with partners to tackle the issue where over 60% of water is non-billable.
Expressing optimism, Mr. Clark Dai, Deputy Managing Director of Hangzhou Laison Technology Company, emphasizes that they are introducing the latest technology and innovations from China to promote sustainable water management.
“Today, we are very excited and honoured to have the opportunity to work together with our partner, Helcraw Electrical, to bring the latest technology and innovation from China and partner with the City of Harare to ensure sustainable water management.”
Meanwhile, Helcraw Electrical Group CEO Mr. Brendon Jere expressed confidence in their ability to resolve Harare’s water challenges, having worked closely with the Ministry to identify necessary improvements.
Will this initiative be enough to finally quench Harare’s long-standing thirst for reliable water supply?
