Harare to get new water treatment plant, 650 000 smart meters

Source: The Herald – Breaking news.

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 Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe delivers his remarks while his deputy, Albert Tawanda Mavunga (third from left), Laison deputy managing director Mr Clark Dai (left), Helcraw Electrical group chief executive officer Mr Brendon Jere (second from left), Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume (second from right), and other officials listen during the handover ceremony of the Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Plant to Laison Technology in Harare yesterday. – Picture: Joseph Manditswara

Trust Freddy, Herald Correspondent

Harare is set to receive at least 650 000 smart water meters and a new water treatment plant as the Government moves to alleviate the ongoing water crisis by plugging revenue leakages and partnering with private companies.

This joint initiative, involves the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, the City of Harare, the world’s biggest manufacturers of technically-advanced utility meter products and systems, Hangzhou Laison Technology Company and Helcraw Electrical.

The move to privatise Harare’s water supply, encompassing purification, distribution and billing systems follows a desperate plea for help by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya.

Speaking at the official hand-over of Morton Jeffrey Water treatment plant to Laison Technology yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said 650 000 smart water meters from China were en route to Harare.

“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. So this is the progress that has been achieved this far,” he said.

In addressing the current water woes, Minister Garwe said going forward, the country will leverage on technology.

“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,” he said.

“For example, if Engineer Mazai wants to buy two millilitres of water, he will pay for exactly two millilitres of water.

“We want to ensure that residents of Harare get value for their money. That’s our goal. With smart water metering and a billing system, residents will only pay for the water that is actually delivered and is of good quality, not for contaminated water or undelivered supplies.”

Minister Garwe said the move aligns with President Mnangagwa’s blueprint, launched two years ago titled, “A call to action-no compromise to service delivery: First stage of interventions to modernise the operations of local authorities towards a 2030 Vision.”

The two investors, Minister Garwe said, were given an opportunity to study in detail the water situation in Harare.

“They came up with a report, which we are now seized with. The report, which was supported by the information that came from the City of Harare, shows that Lake Chivero’s water is now contaminated. It needs cleaning up, and Morton Jaffray, the water treatment plant, needs refurbishment. We also discovered that the water conveyancing system from here to the various suburbs in Harare has suffered a lot of leakages, and a lot of purified water is being lost through those leakages.”

Mayor Mafume described the move as the beginning of the transformative journey.

“Everybody needs water in the morning and at their workplace. 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 said.

He also clarified that the City of Harare has not surrendered control of the plant, but is instead collaborating with partners to address the dire situation, where over 60 percent of water is non-billable.

Deputy Managing director for Hangzhou Laison Technology Company, Mr Clark Dai said: “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 and provide residents with access to clean water.”

Helcraw Electrical Group chief executive officer Mr Brendon Jere was optimistic that they would solve Harare’s water problems, saying behind the scenes, they have worked with the Ministry of Local Government to understand the kind of work that needs to be done.