21 Feb 2019

Assistant Minister of Land Management, Water and Sanitation Services, Mr Itumeleng Moipisi says his ministry is not aware of any industries in Francistown that are discharging raw sewage directly into the river system.

Mr Moipisi said his ministry monitored major industries such as Nortex, BMC and KBL who were connected to the Water Utilities Corporation sewer line for pollution on a quarterly basis through the Department of Water and Sanitation.

The monitoring, Mr Moipisi said, was done to ensure good environmental practices by the industry and compliance to the wastewater discharge standard specifications for sewer in accordance with the BOS 93:2012. 

He said the industries were also monitored for compliance with the Trade Effluent Agreement as well as scheduled inspections and regular spot checks by Department of Water and Sanitation. 

He indicated that in case of incidental pollution, joint inspections were conducted between Departments of Water and Sanitation, Environmental Affairs, Waste Management and Pollution Control and Water Utilities Corporations. 

The assistant minister also noted that sewage pipe blockages were a common occurrence. 

He said the blockages were caused by misuse of wastewater networks through vandalism and throwing foreign materials such as diapers, sanitary towels, blankets and dead animals down the drains. 

However, Mr Moipisi noted that routine maintenance in the network was done through the removal of foreign materials as well as annual cleaning of sewage lines. He also said continuous public awareness campaigns were undertaken to encourage proper use of sewers. 

Member of Parliament for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had asked the minister if he was aware of some industries in Francistown that released raw sewage into the river, and what the ministry was doing to address the sewage pipes blockage. ENDS