Author(s): Tafadzwa Clementine Maramura
Prepaid water meters have been contentious in Harare, even prior to their implementation with residents citing that the new tools are an unbiased technology which is simply meant to benefit the service provider- Harare City Council, whilst restricting potable water consumption. This study addresses the extensive question of the efficacy of prepaid water meters through the citizen’s lens by striking a balance between the Human rights-based approach and the systems theory to water provision. This study also articulates that despite the residents’ perceptions on prepaid water meters, potable water should not be distributed free of charge, yet it should be made available as water is a fundamental need. Through a mixed method research design, 271 structured questionnaires were administered to Harare residents in enabling the provision of a measurement of the resident’s perceptions regarding the metering system and descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine the results. Ten interviews were also conducted with key informants based on their expertise as the service providers instigating the prepaid water meters. Two focus group discussions with two of the civil water organizations that are crucial catalysts between the Harare City Council and Harare residents were also conducted. Conclusively, the aim of this study was not to disregard prepaid water meters but to understand their efficacy through the lens of the citizens as the service users whose role is very vital role in enabling the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the meters. Moreover, this study ultimately recommends that the effectiveness of prepaid water meters will only be successful with due reflection on all-encompassing stakeholder engagement and pro-poor approaches for sustainable service provision.