…Residents to pay US$90 per water metre
Brighton Chiseva
Masvingo City Council will pocket a total of US$ 18 000 from Rujeko residents who are willing to replace their non-functional water metres as the local authority moves in to ensure accurate water readings are obtained in the suburb.
According to the Finance and General Purpose Committee meeting minutes dated June 20 2022, council identified Rujeko as their first target and resolved that residents will pay US$ 90 per water metre.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Finance Director on the price of 15 mm water metres. It was reported that council in its endeavour to produce accurate bills and reduce non-revenue water, procured 200 water metres to replace non-functional ones in the city. Management has identified Rujeko suburb as first District Meeting Area to be targeted in this project,” read part of the minutes.
The minutes further read that water metres cost US$ 84 payable at the prevailing interbank rate but the committee resolved to charge US$ 90.
“It was reported that the cost of the water metres is US$ 84.00 payable at the prevailing interbank rate.
“It was advised that the price of water metres be pegged at US$ 90 payable in three instalments at the prevailing interbank rate at the time of connection,” read the minutes.
It was also resolved that the Acting Finance Director organize an awareness campaign in Rujeko high density suburb on compulsory replacement of non-functional water metres.
Council minutes of the previous months revealed that Masvingo city was losing lots of water in transmission due to an old and malfunctioning system, with 18 000 cubic meters (m3) of water being lost in Rujeko as at May 4, 2022.
The Public Works and Planning Committee meeting dated May 09, 2022 under the section (vii) and (viii) named water fitting and DMA1 (Rujeko) revealed that the total of water supplied and the total water billed was different and it leaves a total of 18 401 cubic meters of water unaccounted for.
“It was reported that three bulk water meters were installed in Rujeko area and the readings were taken on May 4, 2022 with the following readings: the total water supplied is 78 587 m3, total water billed was 60 186 m3 while total water lost was 18 401 m3 and non- revenue water is 23.41 percent,” read the minutes.
