24 Jun 2014

The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has managed to meet the water demand for all the 23 villages in the Kgatleng District.

Briefing the full council in Mochudi on June 23, the council chairperson, Mr Tona Mooketsi, said even though the situation in Kgatleng had improved, dam water levels in the southern part of Botswana continued to drop.

For example, the water level in Gaborone Dam was enough for four months only. “As a result of this situation, water restrictions and water rationing will continue until further notice,” he said.

Mr Mooketsi said the Khurutshe well field that comprised of Masama and Makhujwane well fields were being developed as part of a conjunctive water supply scheme to augment the water demands of greater Gaborone.

He said the yield of the well fields was estimated to be 24 mega litres per day. The project was expected to be completed by August 2014.

Mr Mooketsi noted that the commissioning of the well field as well as the completion of the North-South Carrier Project 2, would address the security of water supply in the greater Gaborone area, which he said included Mochudi, Oodi, Rasesa, Bokaa as well as Lobatse and nearby villages.

The project of upgrade of Oodi, Matebeleng and Modipane water supply scheme is progressing well. It would also be completed by the end of August.

Regarding water quality issues, Mr Mooketsi said a tender had been awarded for the installation of disinfection system in 15 villages in which disinfection had been done manually by use of floaters.

The project will even cover areas where the electricity grid is not available. A minimum water quality of class two should be achieved as prescribed by the Botswana Bureau of Standards for drinking water. About Ramotlabaki plant, the council chairperson lamented that it had reached its design life as it was commissioned more than ten years ago.

Because of the high cost of refurbishment estimated at P1.5 million the corporation will continue to replace membrane filters to ensure production of acceptable water quality. The Mabalane package plant, he said, is also showing signs of wear.

The plant was commissioned and handed over to WUC in 2010 but only one of its sides in use hence the consequent low or inadequate supply. Mr Mooketsi said WUC would continue to augment water supply to the affected areas through the use of the Sikwane borehole and bowing. ENDS