Residents of Westlea have expressed a wave of appreciation following the rollout of a new smart prepaid water meter project by Helcraw Water (Pvt) Ltd in partnership with the Harare City Council. The initiative, part of a city-wide modernization drive, is being hailed as a major step toward ending years of "estimated billing" that often saw residents paying for water they never received.
For many in Westlea, the transition to the Helcraw smart system represents a newfound sense of control. For years, the suburb struggled with a shambolic billing system where the council relied on guesswork rather than actual readings.
"We are really happy with this move. It was long overdue," said Tinashe Moyo, a Westlea resident. "Before, we were forced to pay huge bills based on estimates while our taps were dry. Now, I only pay for what I actually use. It brings fairness back to the community."
Another resident, Chiedza Maphosa, echoed these sentiments, noting the transparency the new technology provides.
"I can now track my usage daily. It’s a relief to know that when I put in my credit, I am seeing the value immediately. We thank Helcraw and the council for finally bringing us into the digital age."
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Despite the general praise, some households have raised concerns that their water credit is "disappearing" faster than expected, leading to perceptions that the water has become more expensive. However, technical experts and council engineers have clarified that the meters are not the problem the infrastructure is.
Helcraw CEO Brendon Jere explained that the smart meters are highly sensitive and record every drop that passes through them, including water lost to leaks within a resident’s property.
"The situation is that many old houses have underground leakages or dripping taps that went unnoticed under the old billing system," Jere noted. "As soon as these internal leakages are sorted, residents will find that the water is actually very affordable."
To address these concerns, a tripartite collaboration involving Helcraw, the Harare City Council, and Westlea residents is currently underway. Helcraw has already deployed support service vehicles and established a real-time call center to help residents identify and report faults.
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