The City of Harare has installed over 23 000 smart water meters to improve water management and service delivery. The programme includes replacing old pipes, installing up to 320 000 meters, and upgrading the Morton Jaffray plant. Authorities say the initiative will reduce leaks, improve efficiency and meet growing water demand.
The City of Harare has installed more than 23 000 smart water meters as part of a programme aimed at improving water management, reducing losses and enhancing service delivery across the city. The installation marks a key step in modernising the water distribution system and addressing long-standing challenges in supply and efficiency.
In a statement, the council said the rollout is gaining traction, with residents embracing the new technology. The smart meters allow households to monitor their water consumption while also improving the overall efficiency of the city’s water system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen water production and delivery.
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“The City of Harare and its partners have so far installed over 23 000 smart water meters in Harare as residents embrace the new phenomenon, which will go a long way in improving water production and delivery in the city,” read the statement. The council noted that the response from residents has supported the progress of the rollout.
Authorities indicated that the programme is expected to expand further following the delivery of additional units. The council confirmed that more smart water meters have already been received and are ready for installation as the project moves into its next stage.
“We have so far received 60 000 smart water meters ready for installation and plan to install up to 320 000 meters by the end of the first phase of the installation period,” the statement said. This signals a significant scale-up in the project, which is designed to cover a large portion of the city.
The smart metering initiative is being implemented alongside a major rehabilitation of ageing water infrastructure. The council highlighted that much of Harare’s water network still relies on old asbestos cement pipes that are prone to leaks and bursts, affecting water delivery.
“A significant portion of Harare’s water network still relies on ageing asbestos cement pipes that have reached the end of their lifespan,” the statement said. These ageing pipes have contributed to water losses and inefficiencies in the system over time.
To address this, the council has started replacing the old pipes with modern PVC pipes. The new pipes are described as safer, more durable and better suited for long-term water distribution. This upgrade is expected to reduce leakages and improve the reliability of water supply.
The local authority plans to replace about 500 kilometres of pipelines as part of the rehabilitation programme. The council explained that the replacement of pipes is being carried out alongside the installation of smart meters to ensure that the improvements are coordinated.
“The replacement of pipes work in tandem with the installation of smart meters, ensuring that leakages are reduced while the efficiency of the entire water system improves,” the statement read. The combined approach is aimed at strengthening the entire water distribution network.
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, the programme includes plans to expand the capacity of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant. The council said investments are being directed towards increasing the plant’s treatment capacity to 520 megalitres per day to meet growing demand.
“Investments are being directed towards expanding the plant’s treatment capacity to 520 megalitres a day, enabling the city to meet growing demand for water better,” the statement said. This development is expected to support the overall water supply system in Harare.
The council also pointed to similar initiatives in other towns, noting that smart meters have already shown positive results. According to the statement, towns such as Karoi, Guruve and Gokwe have benefited from improved accountability and service delivery through the use of smart prepaid meters.
“By encouraging responsible water use and improving accountability, smart prepaid meters are helping communities make the most of a scarce and valuable resource,” the statement read. The City of Harare said the ongoing programme is part of efforts to ensure sustainable and efficient water management.
