Helcraw Water Takes Harare’s Expertise to Chinhoyi in Push for Reliable Water Supplies

By Kudakwashe Ruzive

CHINHOYI — Helcraw Water is extending its water infrastructure expertise beyond Harare, partnering with the Municipality of Chinhoyi to rehabilitate ageing pipelines and improve the delivery of treated water to residents.

The intervention includes replacing old asbestos pipes with modern PVC pipes, a move expected to reduce leakages, minimise water losses and strengthen the efficiency of Chinhoyi’s distribution network.

The initiative comes as the municipality grapples with significant water losses caused by ageing infrastructure, with more than 52 percent of treated water reportedly being lost before reaching consumers.

Municipality of Chinhoyi Public Relations Manager Tichaona Mlauzi said replacing the deteriorating pipes was a welcome development that would help preserve treated water and improve service delivery.

“The replacement of the aged asbestos pipe network by PVC pipes is a welcome development. It will curb leakages associated with latent defects, resulting in the retention of treated water as it is transported through the pipes,” said Mlauzi.

He said the losses had placed a considerable financial burden on the local authority.

“Over 52% of treated water was being lost. This non-revenue water has cost the council since water is passed on to the consumer on a cost build-up,” he said.

Mlauzi said the municipality was optimistic that the partnership would help revitalise its water distribution system.

“As a local authority, we welcome this partnership as it would ensure improved water supply as the pipe network is revitalised,” he said.

Helcraw Water Public Relations Officer Melisa Chatikobo said the company’s expansion into other municipalities was driven by the need to help local authorities overcome infrastructure challenges and improve access to reliable water supplies.

“Our work with municipalities is about more than infrastructure replacement. It is about strengthening the entire water value chain so that treated water reaches residents efficiently and reliably,” said Chatikobo.

She said the experience gained through the Harare Water Project had equipped the company with valuable expertise in addressing challenges within complex municipal water systems.

“The progress we have made through the Harare Water Project has given us valuable experience in working within complex municipal water systems. We are now taking that expertise to other towns, while recognising that every municipality has different infrastructure, operational and investment needs.”

In Harare, Helcraw Water has been supporting efforts to improve water management through smart water metering, rehabilitation of distribution networks and interventions at Morton Jaffray Water Treatment Works.

Chatikobo said the company was committed to developing solutions that respond to the specific needs and investment priorities of individual municipalities rather than applying a uniform approach.

“The needs of Chinhoyi are not necessarily the same as those of Harare or any other town. That is why our approach is based on understanding the municipality’s infrastructure, its water challenges and its investment priorities, and then developing interventions that respond to those specific needs,” she said.

She added that collaboration with local authorities remained central to achieving sustainable improvements in water delivery.

“We believe sustainable water solutions are achieved through strong partnerships with local authorities. Our role is to bring the technical expertise, infrastructure solutions and project experience that can help municipalities improve the performance of their water systems and, ultimately, the experience of residents,” she said.

As Zimbabwean towns confront ageing infrastructure and mounting pressure to deliver reliable public services, the Chinhoyi intervention highlights the importance of modernising water networks, reducing avoidable losses and ensuring that more treated water reaches households.

Chatikobo said Helcraw Water’s ultimate goal was to support communities through more efficient and sustainable water systems.

“Whether we are working in Harare, Chinhoyi or another municipality, the goal remains the same to support local authorities in ensuring that more treated water reaches more residents, more efficiently and sustainably. This is central to our commitment to clean and pure water for all communities,” she said.

Through its growing municipal partnerships, Helcraw Water is seeking to strengthen its role as a technical and infrastructure partner in Zimbabwe’s drive to modernise urban water systems and improve access to clean, safe and reliable water.

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