10 Feb 2019

Vandalism of Water Utilities Corporation infrastructure remains one the major hindrances in the corporation’s efforts to provide uninterrupted water supply in Gumare and surrounding areas.

Incidents of destruction, particularly along the Etsha-Gumare pipeline, are rampant and this has led to frequent water outages in the area.

The recent damages to the pipes and chambers were immense and resulted in acute water shortage, hence the situation compelled the area MP, Mr Thato Kwerepe to convene a key stakeholder meeting to talk about the issue.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Kwerepe, who is also Assistant Minister of Basic Education implored the community to desist from such ills and that they should not then blame WUC for failing to supply water.

He said parents should teach children to tell the good and the bad apart as they grow up, adding that vandalism was bad behaviour.

The MP however noted that efforts were being made to improve the water situation in Gumare as government had taken a decision to relocate a water treatment plant from Shakawe to Gumare to augment the supply.

Still on water shortage, water works superintendent, Mr Nelson Morotsi of Gumare WUC, said the life span of the Sepopa water treatment plant that supplied Gumare was overdue, thus it could not meet the growing demand.

He said the plant was commissioned in 2004 to last for 10 years, while to refurbish it could cost about P198 million.

Furthermore, Mr Morotsi said currently the plant could pump only 400 cubic litres per day against the required 1 600 cubic litres per day to supply Gumare.

He however said during times when there was no vandalism, the plant was able to pump and supply water for two to three hours daily.

“It is sad that our chambers and pipes are being vandalised for purposes of watering livestock,” said Mr Morotsi.

Gumare-Tubu North councillor, Mr Mpoke Karapo suggested that WUC beef up water bowsers since Gumare was too  big a village to be supplied by one bowser.

He also suggested that Jojo containers be placed in various Gumare wards to avoid people walking long distances and the whole village crowding at the only bowser stationed at WUC offices.

For his part, Tubu kgosi, Mr Eastman Motshidiemang said there were nine boreholes with plenty of water in Tubu and suggested that WUC help with generators so that they could pump water from those.

“Those boreholes have a lot of water. They can supply water to Gumare, Nokaneng and Tubu and other nearby villages,” he said.

However, responding to Mr Motshidiemang’s suggestion, water works superintendent said the corporation had its standards for potable water, adding that water from the boreholes would still need to be purified. ENDS