12 May 2013

Residents of Disaneng ward in Maun have complained about shortage of water, barely a month after the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) took over the provision of the commodity from the Department of Water Affairs in April this year.

They complained during a kgotla meeting addressed by the North West District Council (NWDC) chairperson, Mr Latlhang Molonda recently. One of the residents, Mr Isaac Molapisi stated that since WUC take over, they were now drinking contaminated water.

Another resident, Ms Leole Letso complained about poor services offered by the WUC, saying it was not doing enough to satisfy customers' needs. Responding to the complaints, WUC water works superintendent, Mr Michael Sepepe admitted that they had supplied contaminated water.

He said they were using two boreholes they inherited from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP). Mr Sepepe said for them to satisfy consumers’ demand, they were pumping the boreholes for 24 hours and this led them to pump sand and other impurities from deep underground, as there was not enough water.

Concerning the brownish water discovered by residents, Mr Sepepe said they were aware of the problem, but he assured residents that the corporation was planning to improve as the water plant project was ongoing to address these complaints. ENDS