Bulawayo admits 69% of 2025 water bills were estimated

Bulawayo municipal water meter

Bulawayo admits nearly seven in 10 water bills in 2025 were estimated, prompting residents to demand an investigation into high charges despite prolonged water shedding. The City of Bulawayo’s latest council report reveals that 69.4 percent of water bills issued between January and December 2025 were based on estimated consumption rather than actual meter readings.

Only thirty‑one percent of consumers received bills reflecting recorded usage, the report says, with a total of 1.1 million estimated bills issued during the year. April and May were the worst months for estimated billing, with eighty‑five percent of accounts billed on projections; even in January, the most accurate month, forty‑seven percent of bills were estimates. For most months the estimated billing rate remained above sixty percent.

Council data show that meter‑reading visits were limited. Of the 138,388 meters recorded citywide in December 2025, seventy‑four percent, 102,406 meters, were estimated, while twenty‑six percent, 35,982 meters, were physically visited for readings. The persistent reliance on estimates underlines systemic challenges in metering, staffing, and operational capacity, the report suggests.

Financial figures in the report add to residents’ concerns. The council invoiced a total of ZiG3 billion during 2025 but collected ZiG1.9 billion, representing an average collection efficiency of sixty‑five percent. December billing amounted to ZWG264 million, equivalent to about US$10.1 million, while November posted the highest monthly collection rate at seventy‑three percent. The report notes that receipts for January 2026 will be measured against December billing in the next monthly statement. Throughout 2025, the amount received was less than the amount billed.

Council officials acknowledged the shortfall and said additional equipment, materials, and staff are required to improve meter reading and collection.

“Additional equipment, material, and human resources are required to improve collection to current billing plus a portion of arrears to reduce the amount owed by debtors and increase cash availability for service delivery,” the report reads.

Residents and civic groups have reacted angrily. The Bulawayo United Residents Association, led by chairperson Winos Dube, has called for an independent investigation into the widespread use of estimated bills. Dube said residents have long complained about soaring charges while taps remained dry during prolonged water shedding, and that the report confirms their fears.

Consumers are now demanding transparency on how estimates are calculated, timelines for meter‑reading improvements, and mechanisms to dispute or adjust bills. The council faces pressure to publish a clear action plan, accelerate meter visits, and restore public confidence by ensuring that billing reflects actual water consumption. Community leaders have urged the council to set up a dedicated complaints hotline and to publish monthly meter‑reading schedules so residents can verify visits.

Consumer rights groups want retrospective audits and adjustments where estimates appear inflated, and they propose a moratorium on disconnections while disputes are resolved. Analysts say improving digital meter management and investing in field teams will be essential to reduce reliance on estimates and rebuild trust with ratepayers.

Bulawayo estimated water bills 2025