Smart Meters Target Water Losses

29 January 2026

By Colleta Bell

Government plans to introduce smart water metering and replace ageing pipelines in a bid to reduce water losses and stabilise council finances, a move that could directly improve water supply reliability for urban residents.

Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe says the programme will see more than 6 400 kilometres of old pipelines replaced nationwide, while smart meters are rolled out to improve accountability, billing accuracy and revenue collection in local authorities.

Garwe says non-revenue water, caused mainly by leaks, illegal connections and outdated infrastructure, continues to threaten the financial viability of councils.

In Bulawayo, nearly half of treated water is reportedly lost before reaching consumers, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing local authorities.

Government says the upgrades will also boost water production capacity to meet rising urban demand and strengthen overall service delivery.

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