By Beverly Bizeki
Masvingo City Council’s non-revenue water headache continues to persist with latest statistics from the local authority showing that council had lost 42.31 percent in April 2024.
The local authority has been recording losses of large sums of revenue through non-revenue water and the council’s Public Works and Planning Committee minutes dated May 9, 2024 show that the lost water translated to US$359 152.51, a slight decrease from March’s US$384 135.60.
“It was reported that the non-revenue water for April 2024 was 42.31 percent which translated to US$359 152. 51,” read part of the minutes.
Council has cited that some of the reasons behind the high non-revenue water include free water to residents through water bowsers and metering inaccuracies.
“The Acting Director of Engineering Services highlighted that a study was conducted to find out the causes of non-revenue water in the city. The report highlighted the following findings; free water to the residents through water bowsers, the issue of unbilled properties, a number of properties were not being billed due to stuck meters, gate locked and buried meters. Metering inaccuracies were also noted,” read part of the minutes.
Council highlighted that there was need to account for water supply in Clovelly and attending to burst pipes on time to save water.
“It was highlighted that council should increase the response time to attend to burst pipes in the city to save treated water. Residents should be informed about channels for reporting burst pipes. It was highlighted that Clovelly Suburb was reticulated hence water supply should be accounted for like in other suburbs,” the minutes read.
It was also highlighted that council should deal with illegal connections speedily.
Ward 10 councilor Sengerayi Manyanga has been on record saying council should own up water meters and replace the non-functional metres for increased efficiency in billing residents.
