The use of water meters has become an in-thing with utilities such as ZINWA in recent years. The introduction of metres has led to consumers being billed according to their confirmed consumption as opposed to the flat rates which unmetered consumers were used to. Experts in the water sector have hailed water metering as the fairest way to charge for water as consumers can only pay for the water they actually use.

Meters therefore, become a very important way ensuring that the consumer is not charged for what he or she did not use, something which can happen in the case of unmetered supplies.

In other words, meters go on to re-affirm one of the basic principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) which is the user-pays principle.
Water meters are therefore, a crucial step in setting the stage for adopting a more equitable user-pays structure that is representative of the true cost of consumed water.
Water meters have been also known to encourage water conservation. Water consumers tend to use less water in metered cases.

It is estimated that consumers with metered water use at least 12 percent less water than unmetered communities as people tend to value what they pay for and are less likely to waste water.

A 2009 paper published by the National Environmental Services Centre in Virginia has observed that water meters encourage consumers to observe water, especially when compared to flat rates.

That conserved water can be distributed to other areas in need of the precious liquid, in cases like Zimbabwe where water supplies to domestic consumers is erratic.
Zane Satterfield and Vipin Bhardwa, the scientists who authored the paper said flat rates did not encourage water conservation since they give consumers a false impression of unlimited supply.

They argued that a system of flat rates was like a taxi without a fare counter. In such cases it would cost the same to hire a taxi to Glen View and to hire it to some destination within the central business district. In the end a consumer would therefore prefer to hire for longer distances.

Water meters have also brought transparency in the billing system. Meter readings are used to prepare a consumer’s bill and consumers can also learn to read their own meters and compare their figures with those that will appear on their bills.

In fact, ZINWA encourages its clients to have their own record of meter readings which they can compare with the Authority’s readings that appear on the bills.
Consumers are therefore encouraged to take readings especially on the day the ZINWA meter reader takes his readings.

On the part of utilities such as ZINWA, water meters have provided essential management information that is vital for planning and administration purposes.
In most cases, this has led to improved efficiency. With water meters ZINWA is able to identify high water users and can even target such for awareness campaigns and water conservation education.

This is not possible with flat water rates as such crucial information cannot be obtained. Any awareness campaigns would be highly generalised and akin to shooting in the dark. With water meters in place, the utilities can also measure the success or otherwise of their conservation programmes.

As they receive consumption figures, utilities can actually detect changes in water consumption patterns and draw conclusions on the success or otherwise of conservation programmes.
Water utilities have also been able to identify water losses, thanks to water meters. By calculating the volume of water treated and distributed to various areas and comparing such volume against the metered volumes, a utility can be able to identify water losses and their extent in time.

This will see remedial action being taken within reasonable time-frames for the benefit of both the consumer and the utility.
However these benefits of water meters can only be enjoyed if there is co-operation between ZINWA or water utilities and their clients.

Clients need to acquire meters of appropriate quality and size and from reputable dealers, agents or sources. With the proliferation of many outlets selling water meters, some which might be sub-standard, consumers need to exercise a lot of caution in securing water meters.

It is for this reason that ZINWA has made it mandatory for every meter bought by a client to be calibrated and confirmed as an appropriate water flow measuring device before they are installed on premises.
Clients also need to be honest on their part and make timely reports of malfunctioning meters.

This protects them from being billed according to estimates, which in some instances may see them paying way above their consumption.
They must also desist from tempering with their meters and report any such practices to ZINWA or even the police as such behaviour constitutes a criminal offence.
It is therefore paramount for ZINWA and its clients to work harmoniously and always ensure that water meters are in good working order.

Water meters are for the mutual benefit of both the utility and the consumer. Constant meter readings by clients enable them to keep track of their water use and even make necessary adjustments where they are needed.

A consumer, through a water meter, now has control over his bill more than before. Consumers should take advantage of this technology and keep their water consumption within affordable ranges and cushion themselves against accruing huge bills.

For more information please contact the ZINWA Corporate Communications and Marketing Department on [email protected] or visit our website on www.zinwa.co.zw.

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