BULAWAYO residents have raised fresh concerns about the city’s billing system, saying they continue to receive disputed water bills even as water-shedding schedules show signs of improvement.
The Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) says residents are frustrated by what they describe as unfair and unexplained charges.
Reports indicate that some households are facing legal action and property attachment over outstanding bills.
Bura chairperson Winos Dube acknowledged that water availability in the city improved in recent months, but, however, said the relief was overshadowed by growing complaints over water bills.
“There is an issue in the city concerning the water situation. Of late, we have seen an improvement in water shedding which has been reduced from one week to three days,” Dube said.
“The issue which is there is that most people have been served with final demands and summons.
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“Some have even gone on to experience attachment of their property because of these bills.”
He said residents continued to question how their bills are calculated, arguing that council has failed to adequately address long-standing concerns over estimated billing.
“The main concern has been the billing system. It has been raised over and over again, but it looks like there is no rectification.
“Even when people are faced with final demands and summons, they complain that they are being affected by bills which they are not happy with and do not understand how they have been arrived at.”
Dube blamed the problem on the city’s continued reliance on estimated billing, saying residents have repeatedly called on the local authority to review its billing formula.
The concerns come amid revelations by the City of Bulawayo that a significant proportion of water bills issued in 2025 were based on estimated meter readings rather than actual consumption.
Council statistics showed that nearly seven out of 10 water bills issued during the year were estimated, reigniting complaints from residents who argue that they are being charged for water they often do not receive.
According to council figures, more than one million water bills were estimated between January and December 2025, accounting for about 69% of all bills issued during that period.
In some months, the proportion of estimated bills exceeded 80%, highlighting persistent challenges in meter reading and revenue collection systems.
The issue has become particularly contentious in a city that has endured years of water shortages and prolonged water-shedding due to drought, ageing infrastructure and supply constraints.
Residents have long argued that high bills are difficult to justify when water supply is erratic in many suburbs.
Under the city’s billing system, unpaid accounts can result in disconnection of water supply, while persistent arrears may be referred for legal action, including the issuing of summons.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart and his deputy Edwin Ndlovu said residents should note that municipal bills comprise several charges, not just water consumption.
“The City of Bulawayo makes all efforts to ensure that bills are accurate and even in instances where estimations are made for water consumption, adjustments are thereafter made in the month when the actual meter reading has been done,” they said in a joint statement.
“Residents are, however, encouraged to visit the nearest Revenue Office to discuss any areas of concern as billing is carried out on a property-by-property basis.”