Kwekwe proposes water tariff hike to US$1.15

By Flata Kavinga

Kwekwe City Council has proposed increasing water tariffs for high-density residents from US$0.85 to US$1.15 per cubic metre and for low-density residents from US$0.90 to US$1.25, citing rising water treatment costs.

The proposed increases follow a rise in the cost of producing one cubic metre of water from US$1.36 last year to US$1.71 this year, largely due to higher prices of water treatment chemicals and fuel.

Addressing ward development committees and ratepayers associations during the City of Kwekwe’s 2027 Budget consultative meetings at the Civic Centre, council finance director Rejoice Maweni-Dandira said the local authority was struggling to meet water production costs under the current tariff structure.

She said water treatment chemicals, including aluminium sulphate, had become more expensive, with suppliers warning of further price increases during the rainy season because the chemicals were imported.

“We have seen an increase in water treatment chemicals. I have three suppliers who talked about wars, saying aluminium sulphate prices increased three times this year and there is a possibility that the prices will be increased during the rainy season as chemicals are imported,” Maweni-Dandira said.

She said council’s water tariff model was designed to ensure that revenue covered the costs of delivering water to consumers.

Maweni-Dandira warned that reducing tariffs below the level required to sustain water production could force council to introduce water rationing across all suburbs.

“If we agree on this, then water rationing will be implemented across all suburbs. We will be forced to switch off the plant on some days to save chemicals which may have been projected to last two weeks if we are to reduce the tariff,” she said.

Council is also proposing to increase tariffs for commerce and industry from US$1.60 to US$1.95 per cubic metre, although consultations with the sector are still pending.

Maweni-Dandira said the proposed increase for businesses was intended to help bridge the gap between the cost of producing water and the tariffs charged to residents.

She said the current residential tariffs did not reflect the actual cost of water production because council had previously sought to shift part of the financial burden to commerce and industry.

“Last year our cost was at US$1.36 per cubic metre to produce our water. This year the cost of producing one cubic metre of water is US$1.71 because of increased prices for water chemicals,” she said.

Maweni-Dandira said council would engage businesses over the proposed adjustment but warned that if they could not absorb the additional costs, the local authority might have to reconsider the burden placed on residents.

She attributed the rising costs partly to international developments, saying the local authority was experiencing the effects of conflicts that had contributed to higher prices of imported supplies.

Meanwhile, council is proposing to maintain residential sewer tariffs at US$4 for high-density areas and US$5 for low-density areas.

Maweni-Dandira said the proposed standstill in sewer charges was intended to ease the burden on residents while ensuring that sewer pump stations remained operational and treatment plant maintenance continued.

She said council could not compromise on the safety of workers at sewer pump stations because of the health risks associated with their working environment.

For refuse collection, council is proposing to increase monthly charges for high-density residents from US$5 to US$6 and for low-density residents from US$6 to US$7.

Maweni-Dandira said rising fuel prices, the cost of protective clothing for workers, chemicals and dumpsite maintenance had increased the cost of providing the service, with fuel being the main cost driver.

She said council had also repaired some equipment and expected the improvements to reduce breakdowns and lower maintenance costs.

The proposed tariffs form part of the local authority’s 2027 budget consultations with ward development committees and ratepayers associations.

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