06 Dec 2022

Water Utilities Corporation(WUC) is addressing deficiencies in the North East District and Tutume Sub-District water supply scheme.

Responding to a parliamentary question, the assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule noted that the corporation is engaged in upgrading some pumps which have been identified as being under-designed and balancing water flows across the system to ensure that water is directed to demand nodes as per design.

Mr Pule was answering the question on behalf of the Minister of Lands and Water Affairs Dr Kefentse Mzwinila.

He said currently some areas like the Sebina were receiving more water than it was designed.

“Procurement of new equipment required to address design shortcomings is underway, quotations of new pumps have been requested from suppliers with a view to immediately place orders. 

In parallel WUC is engaging the project consultant to apportion liabilities and funding of the remedial works due to shortcomings of their designs,” he said.

Mr Pule explained that North East District and Tutume Sub-district water supply scheme was intended to supply 52 villages. However currently, five villages in Tutume Sub-district were not receiving water from Ntimbale Dam but are supplied with water from the Maitengwe wellfield, he said.

He further noted that 15 villages in the North East District were experiencing intermittent water supply with prolonged recovery in the event of water supply disruption.

Mr Pule said the scheme was designed to operate without decommissioning the Maitengwe wellfield.

Construction of the scheme entailing upgrading and remedial works was awarded to Unik Construction Engineering on February 2020 at P229, 040, 891.50. Works commenced on March 2021 with completion date scheduled for September 2021 but it was completed in January this year at a total expenditure of P241, 605,166.12. 

The project is on defects and liability period up to January 2023.

Nkange MP Dr Never Tshabang had asked the minister to update the house on the Ntimbale Dam water supply project to Tutme and Maitengwe and if the amount of water required is being realised.

He also wanted to know whether the project catered all the other initially planned villages. ends