19 Mar 2015

The North South Carrier Scheme I (NSCI) pipeline operation was discontinued on March 17 as a result of destruction of its optic fibre network by a private contractor at Dikalate near Palapye.

A press release from Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) stated that the destruction would result in extended periods of no water supply in the Greater Gaborone area.

The disruption in the operation of the NSCI, as per the release, followed another downtime of the pipeline following intermittent disruptions to its operations on March 14, 2015. “This resulted in widespread water shortages in the Greater Gaborone area, shortages which some areas have still not recovered from,” added the release.

The NSCI transported water from Letsibogo Dam to the south of the country and supplies Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe and the Greater Gaborone area.

The newly commissioned Dikgatlhong Dam has been supplying water to these areas through the same pipeline- relieving the Letsibogo Dam, effective from March 9, 2015.Currently, as per the release, the pipeline from Dikgathlong Dam to the south, the NSCII, is still under construction and is scheduled to reach Gaborone in 2020. 


Therefore, WUC urged all water users to use the available water sparingly and adhere to the water restrictions which have been in effect since August 2012. ENDS