For over a decade, the rhythm of life for women in Harare’s high-density suburbs has been dictated not by the sun, but by the dry hiss of empty taps. In suburbs like Glen View, Mabvuku, and Budiriro, the "water crisis" is not a political talking point—it is a daily, physical exhaustion that begins at 3:00 AM. However, a transformative partnership between the City of Harare and Helcraw Water (Pvt) Ltd is now being hailed as a historic intervention, specifically by the women who have long served as the city’s unofficial and overburdened water managers.

The partnership, which integrates the technical expertise of Helcraw with the local governance of the City Council, aims to overhaul a collapsing system that currently loses over 60% of its treated water to leaks and illegal connections. For the women of the capital, the introduction of smart prepaid water meters and the replacement of thousands of kilometers of ancient, rusted piping represents more than just infrastructure; it represents the potential return of their time, safety, and dignity.

In the traditional Zimbabwean household, the labor of sourcing water falls almost exclusively on women and girls. When the municipal system fails, it is the women who must navigate the treacherous logistics of "water poverty." They are the ones seen queuing for hours at community boreholes, often in the dark, where they face increased risks of gender-based violence and harassment. They are the ones who carry 20-litre containers over long distances, leading to chronic spinal and neck injuries. Perhaps most critically, as the primary caregivers, women bear the immense psychological stress of maintaining family hygiene and preventing outbreaks of cholera and typhoid with only a few gallons of water.

"I have spent the better part of my adult life waiting in lines," says Mrs. Gladys Mutasa, a resident of Warren Park. "If this Helcraw project means I can finally turn on a tap in my own kitchen and see water, it will be as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my head. We are tired of paying estimated bills for water we never see. We want to pay for what we use, and we want it delivered to our homes."

The Helcraw intervention is built on a "pro-poor" model that directly addresses these concerns. By installing 350,000 smart prepaid meters, the project eliminates the dreaded "estimated billing" system that has seen many women-led households spiraling into debt for a non-existent service. Crucially, the system includes a 1,000-litre free monthly allowance for every household, a provision that recognizes water as a fundamental human right rather than a luxury commodity.

Beyond the meters, Helcraw has moved aggressively to fix the "bleeding" of the city's resources. The partnership includes the replacement of over 6,400 kilometers of aging pipes and a significant upgrade to the Morton Jaffray Water Works to increase daily output. To ensure that these improvements are sustainable, Helcraw has already provided the City Council with a fleet of service vehicles and established a real-time call center, allowing residents to report bursts immediately a move that replaces the old culture of neglect with one of accountability.

As the rollout gains momentum, the sense of relief among Harare’s women is palpable. While the technology is modern, the impact is deeply human. By stabilizing the water supply, the partnership is effectively handing back thousands of hours to the city’s women hours that can now be reinvested into education, small businesses, and family life. In the eyes of many residents, Helcraw has arrived not just as a contractor, but as a survivor for the women who have held the city together through its driest years.

For over a decade, the rhythm of life for women in Harare’s high-density suburbs has been dictated not by the sun, but by the dry hiss of empty taps. In suburbs like Glen View, Mabvuku, and Budiriro, the "water crisis" is not a political talking point it is a daily, physical exhaustion that begins at 3:00 AM. However, a transformative partnership between the City of Harare and Helcraw Water (Pvt) Ltd is now being hailed as a historic intervention, specifically by the women who have long served as the city’s unofficial and overburdened water managers.

The partnership, which integrates the technical expertise of Helcraw with the local governance of the City Council, aims to overhaul a collapsing system that currently loses over 60% of its treated water to leaks and illegal connections. For the women of the capital, the introduction of smart prepaid water meters and the replacement of thousands of kilometers of ancient, rusted piping represents more than just infrastructure; it represents the potential return of their time, safety, and dignity.

In the traditional Zimbabwean household, the labor of sourcing water falls almost exclusively on women and girls. When the municipal system fails, it is the women who must navigate the treacherous logistics of "water poverty." They are the ones seen queuing for hours at community boreholes, often in the dark, where they face increased risks of gender based violence and harassment. They are the ones who carry 20-litre containers over long distances, leading to chronic spinal and neck injuries. Perhaps most critically, as the primary caregivers, women bear the immense psychological stress of maintaining family hygiene and preventing outbreaks of cholera and typhoid with only a few gallons of water.

"I have spent the better part of my adult life waiting in lines," says Gladys Mutasa, a resident of Warren Park. "If this Helcraw project means I can finally turn on a tap in my own kitchen and see water, it will be as if a heavy weight has been lifted from my head. We are tired of paying estimated bills for water we never see. We want to pay for what we use, and we want it delivered to our homes."

The Helcraw intervention is built on a "pro-poor" model that directly addresses these concerns. By installing 350,000 smart prepaid meters, the project eliminates the dreaded "estimated billing" system that has seen many women-led households spiraling into debt for a non-existent service. Crucially, the system includes a 1,000-litre free monthly allowance for every household, a provision that recognizes water as a fundamental human right rather than a luxury commodity.

Beyond the meters, Helcraw has moved aggressively to fix the "bleeding" of the city's resources. The partnership includes the replacement of over 6,400 kilometers of aging pipes and a significant upgrade to the Morton Jaffray Water Works to increase daily output. To ensure that these improvements are sustainable, Helcraw has already provided the City Council with a fleet of service vehicles and established a real-time call center, allowing residents to report bursts immediately a move that replaces the old culture of neglect with one of accountability.

As the rollout gains momentum, the sense of relief among Harare’s women is palpable. While the technology is modern, the impact is deeply human. By stabilizing the water supply, the partnership is effectively handing back thousands of hours to the city’s women hours that can now be reinvested into education, small businesses, and family life. In the eyes of many residents, Helcraw has arrived not just as a contractor, but as a survivor for the women who have held the city together through its driest years.