20 Sep 2023

Water supply in Maun will improve as government commission completed components of the ongoing Maun Phase II Water Supply and Sanitation project. 

The P3.4 billion mega project, which aims to bring water supply security and improve sanitation services in Maun and its satellite villages, is expected to be completed next March. 

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Maun on Tuesday, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Water Affairs, Mr Nchidzi Mmolawa, acknowledged that Maun’s water supply had been a long standing problem, which compelled that some components of the project be put in use even before completion of the entire work.

“We are aware of the water situation that has troubled residents of Maun for years and we did not wait until the project completion hence some components were put in use to arrest the situation,” he said. “We are grateful that whole project will be a permanent solution as it will mitigate water shortage and improve the quality and sanitation services in Maun and the surrounding villages.”

Maun has been affected by water shortage due to supply deficit arising from limited water sources and the situation compelled Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to implement water supply demand management strategy by optimising on available sources and rationing.

Mr Mmolawa said the ongoing project entailed four contractors and their phases were interlinked. The first contractor focused on water reticulation and sanitation networks, which included upgrading of water supply and sanitation works; the second contractor’s scope was boreholes equipping, treatment and storage and construction of storage reservoir, Shashe booster station and the treatment plant at Nxaraga; and the  third did sanitation treatment works. 

The last contractor’s focus was water supply and connection to Maun’s satellite villages such as Sexaxa, Shorobe and Matsaudi. 

Mr Mmolawa said there was of progress as the pump station at Qweqwe has been completed and awaiting electricity connection, two boreholes had been connected at Kunyere wellfield plant and four at Shashe to complement the existing boreholes while water distribution network had been installed in Maun. Through the project, a network connection had been done so that residents could easily connect water into their homesteads. Residents were also encouraged to be prepared to connect to sewage network once the project came to completion. 

Mr Mmolawa said only 25 per cent of residents had connected to the sewage network. 

Ms Botsalo Monamise said the situation had improved but complained about the brownish colour in the water. 

Mr Richard Johannes expressed concern over high water bills despite experiencing serious water shortage. ENDs