14 Oct 2015

The North South Carrier Scheme I (NSCI) pipeline will be out of operation on October 17-18, says a press release form Water Utilities Corporation (WUC).

The pipeline will be shut to allow for the interconnection of the 78km NSC2 from Moralane to Palapye to the existing NSCI.

The shutdown will result in water supply interruptions in the greater Gaborone area, even outside the water-rationing schedule for Gaborone. For the villages surrounding Gaborone, which have been experiencing several days of no water supply, the shutdown will result in extended periods of no supply.

Mahalapye, Palapye and Serowe will be supplied from boreholes during the shutdown and may also experience water shortages in some areas. Recovery from the shutdown is expected to take place at least three days with supply expected from October 22. Different areas will recover at different times.

NSC1 is a pipeline that transports water from Letsibogo Dam to the south and supplies Palapye, Mahalapye, Serowe and the greater Gaborone area whereas NSC2 is a pipeline that transports water from Dikgatlhong dam to the south. The pipeline is still under construction and is scheduled to reach Gaborone in 2020.

However, the 75km part of the NSC2 pipeline from Dikgatlhong to Moralane, which is so far complete, is regularly connected to the NSC1 to supply the greater Gaborone from Dikgatlhong Dam.

Meanwhile, WUC informs residents of the greater Gaborone (Mogoditshane, Tlokweng, Gabane, Mmopane, Metsimotlhabe, Kumakwane, Tloaneng, Ramotswa, Lobatse and Good Hope) that they will continue to experience water shortage.

This is due to an operational challenge experienced at its pump station along North South Carrier pipeline in Moralane. The corporation is currently working on restoring the pump station, which is expected to take at least 12 hours. Ends