Skip to content
GIST

City of Masvingo (Water, Sewerage and Drainage) By-laws, 2025

Masvingo's water by-laws make the council's meter its own property, put safe-keeping on the consumer, allow prepayment meters and charge builders for temporary supplies at the prescribed rate.

These by-laws govern the City of Masvingo's water supply and its sewerage and drainage services.

Part II covers water supply: applying for service, provision of the connection pipe, payment, termination, restoration and discontinuation, payment through prepayment meters, disconnection on termination of the agreement, water quality and pressure, supply by portable meter — which the consumer must collect and return where the council directs — and temporary supplies for building purposes, where the owner or builder pays the cost of providing and fixing the communication pipe and meter at the prescribed rates and pays for water at the prescribed tariff. The same communication pipe may later serve the permanent supply.

Part III covers metering. The council supplies and installs the meter at a prescribed fee, and the consumer must provide a suitable approved place for it on the stand and ensure council officials have access at all reasonable times to read, overhaul, remove or work on it. The meter and its fittings remain the council's absolute property; the council maintains and repairs it for ordinary wear and tear, while the consumer must take reasonable precautions for its safe keeping and is liable for damage caused by failing to do so. The council may disconnect and substitute a meter at any time.

The extract available here was truncated part way through the metering provisions, so the billing, sewerage, drainage and tariff provisions should be read in the instrument itself.

What changed

  • Water supply requires an agreement with the council, which provides the connection pipe and meter at a prescribed fee
  • Meters and fittings remain the council's property; the consumer is liable for damage from failing to protect them
  • Consumers must give council officials access to the meter at all reasonable times
  • Prepayment meters and portable meter supplies are provided for
  • Builders pay the cost of the communication pipe and meter for temporary building supplies

Who this affects

  • Water consumers in Masvingo
  • Builders and developers needing temporary supplies
  • Prepayment meter users
  • Council water and revenue departments

Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.