Source: Hre water pipe replacement project spreads to satellite towns -Newsday Zimbabwe
THE Harare City Council, in partnership with Helcraw Electrical, is expanding a major water pipe replacement project to satellite towns Norton, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth, officials have announced.
The move aims to ensure that surrounding communities benefit from the overhaul of the region’s ageing water infrastructure.
The project focuses on replacing deteriorating asbestos and cement pipes with new, durable PVC piping to curb chronic water loss and improve supply.
The initiative began in Warren Park, where over a kilometre of piping has already been laid.
Workers are installing approximately 40 metres of pipes daily.
The first phase targets 400km of piping across Harare, a small fraction of the estimated 6 800km of piping that needs replacement.
Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe said the project was a key part of the government plan to enhance service delivery.
“This exercise marks a decisive step towards modernising our city’s water infrastructure and ensuring residents have access to clean and reliable water,” Garwe said.
He described the initiative as a “call to action” for “results-driven development” that directly improves people’s lives.
Mayor Jacob Mafume emphasised that after the rehabilitation programme pipe bursts that have plagued the city for years will be significantly reduced.
“The replacement of these pipes will go a long way in reducing leakages and ensuring that more households actually receive the water they are billed for,” the mayor said.
“This is not only about fixing pipes; it’s about restoring efficiency, trust and service delivery.”
Mafume confirmed that the initial phase in Harare is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of next year, which will pave way for similar work in other suburbs and surrounding towns.
In a separate development, the Crowborough Taxpayers Association has petitioned the Harare City Council over the proposed 2026 budget, labelling it “anti-people” and unfair.
In a letter addressed to Mafume, the association strongly objected to steep water tariff hikes and a budget structure they say penalises residents and small businesses.
“We believe the proposed budget is anti-people, lacks consultation and fails to reflect the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens,” the association stated.
The group highlighted dramatic increases in water tariffs, noting a 61% jump in high-density areas (from US$1,24 to US$2,00 per kilolitre) and a 135% increase in low-density areas (from US$1,70 to US$4,00 per kilolitre).
“These increases are unreasonable and inhumane, especially when the City of Harare continues to fail in delivering safe, reliable water,” the petition read.
The association also criticised what it views as misplaced priorities, pointing to drastic reductions in licence fees for nightclubs and beerhalls — from over US$1 000 to just US$20 per year — while tuckshops are charged US$600 and vendors US$120 annually.
“These changes show a shocking bias towards commercial interests while burdening the informal sector and low-income residents,” the Crowborough taxpayers said.
“The new tariff structure clearly shifts the financial burden to residents, effectively forcing the poor to subsidise nightlife and commercial operations.”
The post Hre water pipe replacement project spreads to satellite towns appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.