By Shepherd Shalvar Chikomba (ZNOART National Chairman)
Access to reliable and safe water remains one of the most important service-delivery concerns affecting communities across Zimbabwe.
Residents in both urban areas and rural district councils continue to experience challenges associated with inadequate water supplies, ageing infrastructure, leakages, limited treatment and pumping capacity, and the need for rehabilitation and expansion of existing water systems.
As Government continues to explore different interventions, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and private-sector participation, residents are looking forward to seeing these initiatives translated into improved and consistent water supplies.
SPEEDY REHABILITATION OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
Residents are calling for the speedy rehabilitation and upgrading of water infrastructure across the country.
Many existing water systems require significant investment to restore their capacity and improve efficiency. Rehabilitation of water treatment plants, pumping stations, reservoirs, pipelines and distribution networks can help address some of the challenges currently being experienced by communities.
We therefore encourage Government, local authorities, rural district councils and private-sector partners to work together to accelerate water infrastructure projects.
Where PPPs are being implemented, residents need clear information on the scope of the projects, implementation timelines and expected improvements in service delivery.
The question residents are asking is:
If private-sector participation and PPPs are intended to improve water service delivery, what is causing delays in the delivery of reliable water to communities?
There must be clear timelines and accountability for every major water project.
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS AND PPPs
ZNOART supports interventions being introduced by Government to address challenges affecting residents.
We recognise that addressing the country’s water infrastructure deficit requires substantial investment, technical expertise and long-term planning. PPPs can provide an avenue for mobilising additional resources and expertise where appropriate.
However, the ultimate measure of any intervention should be its impact on residents.
Residents want to see:
– Reliable water supplies;
– Rehabilitated and modernised infrastructure;
– Reduced leakages and water losses;
– Improved water treatment capacity;
– Adequate storage and distribution systems;
– Affordable and predictable charges; and
– Responsive mechanisms for addressing service complaints.
Government and local authorities must also ensure that projects are implemented transparently and that residents are kept informed about developments affecting their communities.
PREPAID WATER METERS
The introduction of prepaid water meters is another development that residents are closely watching.
There are potential benefits to prepaid systems, including improved revenue collection, better monitoring of consumption and reduced accumulation of unpaid bills.
However, residents are also facing challenges that need to be addressed.
Residents are now paying for the water they have consumed rather than accumulating large bills over time. While this can improve payment discipline and assist utilities with revenue collection, it also means that households need reliable access to water whenever they purchase water credit.
Residents therefore want clarity on what happens when:
– A prepaid meter malfunctions;
– A resident purchases credit but the system fails;
– Water is unavailable despite having available credit;
– There are technical problems with the meter; or
– A resident disputes the amount deducted from the meter.
There must be effective customer-support systems and accessible complaint-resolution mechanisms.
PAYMENT MUST BE MATCHED BY SERVICE DELIVERY
ZNOART believes that there must be a clear relationship between payment and service delivery.
Residents are prepared to contribute towards sustainable water services, but they expect the services they pay for to be available, reliable and of acceptable quality.
A prepaid system should therefore not simply become a revenue-collection mechanism. It must be accompanied by investment in infrastructure and improvements in water availability.
Where residents have purchased water credit but water is unavailable because of infrastructure failures or supply interruptions, there must be appropriate mechanisms for addressing the situation.
URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES
The water challenge must also be addressed beyond the major cities.
Rural district councils and communities require investment in boreholes, dams, water treatment facilities, pipelines, reservoirs, solar-powered pumping systems and other infrastructure.
Government interventions and PPP arrangements should therefore take into account the different needs and economic circumstances of urban and rural communities.
No community should be left behind in the national drive to improve water and sanitation services.
RESIDENTS MUST BE AT THE CENTRE
The Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) is an apex body representing residents and residents’ associations across Zimbabwe.
Our focus and thrust is centred on:
Service delivery; community development; infrastructure development; environment and waste management; healthcare; transparency and accountability; gender and social welfare; and drug and substance-abuse prevention.
Our position is clear: ZNOART supports interventions brought by Government to address challenges being faced by residents.
At the same time, our responsibility as a residents’ organisation is to listen to residents, communicate their concerns and encourage continuous improvement in service delivery.
We therefore call upon Government, local authorities, rural district councils, private-sector partners and other stakeholders to accelerate the rehabilitation of water infrastructure and ensure that PPP initiatives deliver tangible benefits to communities.
The introduction of prepaid water meters should also be accompanied by adequate infrastructure, reliable supply, transparent billing systems and responsive customer service.
Residents do not simply want to pay for water — they want reliable water services.
Zimbabwe’s water future requires investment, innovation, accountability and cooperation between Government, local authorities, private-sector partners and residents.