02 Oct 2013

Botswana o a kgala (Botswana is drying up). This is the slogan that the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has adopted in its campaign to sensitise Batswana about the importance of water conservation, given the drastic reality that the country’s dams are drying up due to limited rainfall.

WUC is battling to supply Batswana all over the country with water. Business also needs a constant and reliable supply of water to drive the national economy. Meanwhile, the corporation’s efforts to preach water conservation are hampered by some irresponsible members of the public, while on the other hand WUC’s coffers are drying up.

Clearly, the corporation is grappling with a plethora of problems and limitations that hamper progress in delivery of quality services to the people.

WUC has revealed that yet another disastrous trend has emerged to compound its woes: Vandalism. They recently committed P13 million to reinstate nine boreholes at the Ramotswa water field as part of efforts to improve water supply in the area. Seven of the nine boreholes are situated outside the village. Sadly, the seven boreholes have already been badly vandalised.

“Thieves target these boreholes and strip off their copper cable, submersible pumps and other parts.   They even vandalised the transformers that were installed by Botswana Power Corporation,” said Ms Seonyatseng Maruping, project manager of the Ramotswa wellfield refurbishment project.

Addressing the media during a tour of the boreholes recently, Ms Maruping said attempts to re-equip the first borehole have already suffered major setbacks as the thieves immediately stole the transformers and pumps that were installed.

We have no option but to tighten security in all these boreholes. We will also requested the Botswana Defence Force to intensify patrols around the boreholes at least to dissuade these vandals,” said Ms Maruping.

To add to WUC’s woes, efforts to transfer water from the northern part of Botswana to the south are not bearing the desired results, also  due to rampant vandalism. Water meant for Batswana in the southern part of the country hardly reaches its intended destination because the North South Carrier pipeline is constantly under maintenance to rectify the damage caused by vandalism.

WUC communications manager, Ms Matida Mmipi revealed that farmers who reside in cattle posts along the pipeline deliberately break the pipes to leak out water for their livestock. While desperately trying to sensitise Batswana about the importance of conserving the nation’s limited water resources, the corporation now has to incur additional costs to repair damages caused by vandals who derail efforts to supply Batswana with water.

Ms Mmipi last week launched a heartfelt appeal for Batswana to shoulder the responsibility of cherishing and protecting their national resources.

“Vandalism hampers our attempts to provide Batswana with water.  We are hopeful that after resuscitation of the boreholes, we will be able to improve water provision to the greater Gaborone area,” she said. Ms Mmipi also said the nitrate content of water from five of the nine boreholes is within the allowable limit to be considered for drinking.

WUC plans to clean the said water and blend the borehole water with water from Gaborone Dam and distribute it as po table water. ENDS