HARARE City Council has scrapped US$8.5 million in fixed water charges in nine suburbs faced with erratic supplies.

The local authority resolved to do away with the fixed water charges in April and this will see each household in the high density residential areas having at least US$130 scrapped off its account. Those in the low density areas will each have US$400 deducted.

Water fixed charges in high density areas are pegged at US$4 while the low density and commercial sector US$9 and US$50, respectively.  The affected suburbs include Mt Pleasant Heights, Msasa Park, Mabvuku, Tafara, Greendale, Mandara, Glenlorne, Mandara, Kambanji and Greystone Park.

The council resolution states that the write off will cover the period between 2009 and 2013. Harare city acting corporate communications manager, Mr Michael Chideme said, “We have scrapped US$ 8.5 million of fixed water charges, with the resolution being implemented in retrospect.” Environmental Management Committee chair councillor Herbert Gomba said council was planning to extend the period from 2013 to date.