28 Mar 2019

Water situation in Thamaga is expected to improve in April after the village is connected to the North-South Carrier pipeline.

Briefing residents recently, chief executive officer of Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) Mr Mmetla Masire said the project was part of the pipeline that also connected Kanye and Moshupa to the NSC. However, all the village areas should expect adequate water supply only in June as currently, a small reservoir was under construction. It is expected to feed areas in higher ground.

Mr Masire further informed residents that small water pipes in the village would be replaced with bigger ones as they frequently burst, adding that the water network also had to be upgraded.

The residents, however, did not welcome the news with jubilation as they complained about high water bills and leaking pipes with some saying they would only believe Mr Masire’s promises once they drink water from NSC pipeline.
Residents wanted to know how come their bills were high even though they sometimes go for months without water.

They also said some of the pipes had been leaking for a long time and it took time for them to be repaired. Some said the water only comes out in the middle of the night, which was a security risk to collect it.

For a number of years, the residents have been relying on borehole water, which was rich in lime and this damaged electric appliances.

Responding to the comments, Mr Masire urged the residents to visit WUC offices whenever they had queries over their bills.

He further told the residents that WUC did not have a standing fee, meaning people only paid  for the water they used.

Talking about leaking pipes, he said he would see how the matter could be addressed.

WUC has taken a decision to engage former water affairs department employees as pipe fitters and Mr Masire expressed hope that the situation would improve.

He, however, cautioned against the practice where pipes were deliberately vandalised by farmers to water livestock, saying this denied the community access to water. ends