By Correspondent
Government recently released Statutory Instrument 170 of 2025, Minimum Service Delivery Standards Indicators for Local Authorities, Regulations.
The SI sets the minimum standards which all local authorities have to meet in the provision of social services to the residents and ratepayers.
Speaking on the SI, Harare Resident Trust said it is a good start.
“The gazetted minimum service delivery standards are a good start for a meaningful conversation between the national government and the citizens.
“These standards have become the minimum that residents should demand from their respective local authorities.
Below we reproduce some of the standards which were set by Government.
Performance Indicator- 1.2.
Average Per Capita Water Supply (litres/ per capita/day)
The minimum volume of water supplied per person to live a healthy life should be available without compromise.
Between 50 and 100 litres of water per person per day are needed to ensure that most basic needs are met.
This will also keep public health risks at a low level, excluding treatment and transmission losses.
This can be lowered to 20 litres in case of emergency.
Local authorities and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) should progressively increase water treatment and storage capacity in order to meet this standard.
Performance Indicator- 1.3.
Extent of Metering of Water Connections (%).
All customer connections should be metered in order to enable regular billing, and updated on GIS/ Billing system.
Local Authorities should have clear policies and protocols regarding metering and their replacement and management.
Performance Indicator- 1.4. Efficiency in Meeting Water Demand (%).
All Local Authorities should have a WASH master plan or strategic plan which ensures sustainable supplies to meet current and future demand.
Performance Indicator- 1.5. Extent of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) (%).
All Local authorities with high NRW should carry out periodic (every five years) Water Audits and develop and implement a NRW Reduction Strategy.
NRW should be managed to economic levels.
Water supply authorities should maintain and periodically report on accurate Water Balances.
The computation of NRW should be based on actual measurements on key metered points and an updated billing database is necessary.
Performance Indicator- 1.6. Average Hours of Continuous Access to Water per Day (hours/ day).
Water should be available continuously and in a sufficient quality and quantity to meet the requirements of drinking and personal hygiene, as well as of further personal and domestic uses.
Water supply needs to be continuous enough to allow for the collection of sufficient amounts to satisfy all needs, without compromising the quality of water.
Detailed operational records in district metered areas (DMAs) or wards should be readily available.
Periodic surveys should be carried out to check if all areas are receiving water as expected.
Regular maintenance of water points and reticulation system is necessary.
