05 Oct 2022

The detection of high arsenic levels in water from one of the high yielding boreholes supplying Charleshill and Makunda has resulted in acute water shortage in the two villages.  

The detection led to ceased operation as the arsenic was more than the recommended level for human consumption.

Addressing full council on October 4, Ghanzi District deputy council chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Kajuu said as a short-term measure, water would be bowsed  from Xanagas filling point to Charleshill elevated tanks and water tanks situated at strategic points.

He said Water Utilities Corporation was also rationing water to ensure sufficient water supply to the affected villages.

He said the corporation had approved virement of funds for the construction of a booster station at Xanagas tank site including the 31km pipeline to the Charleshill water tank site.

Mr Kajuu said the proposed project was currently at procurement stage and once awarded it was expected to take six months to complete.

He told the council that the other borehole in Charleshill vicinity, which the council wanted to hand to WUC had high Nitrate levels.

Mr Kajuu said most of the areas in the district were beginning to experience an increased demand for water, which he said outstretched the current water supply from the sources.

He therefore said that the corporation has been compelled to increase the yields in certain boreholes by replacing pump elements to meet the daily village demands.

The deputy council chair said equipping and operation of Kuke borehole using solar had steadily improved supply of potable water thus reducing reliance on water bowsing.

Regarding Kuke/Bere water supply project, which was awarded in May to Ceego Engineering Services at a cost of P19.7 million was planned to take six months commencing June,  for equipping, solar electrification of the two boreholes and construction of the pipelines to the village water tank sites.

He said the project was currently at 30 per cent against 57 per cent planned progress which included completion of site clearance at Kuke and Bere pipeline and borehole sites.

The deputy chairman stated that all materials for pipeline construction and borehole equipping had been delivered at site.

Mr Kajuu said the Department Water and Sanitation and Ghanzi District Council were currently working together in the equipping of Molapo borehole currently at 50 per cent.

He expressed delight that the equipping of Mothomelo borehole had been completed and that the borehole was operational.

“This is a great achievement that will ensure water availability to the reserve residents as haulage distance has been reduced significantly,” he stated.

He regretted that there was a noticeable and disturbing trend of illegal occupation and self-allocation of government boreholes by some members of the public, communities, and syndicates in the district.

He said efforts to evict culprits were underway as well public awareness campaigns through Kgotla meetings. Ends