05 Dec 2013

North West District councillors say appreciate efforts made by the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to address severe water shortage situation in the district.

They pointed out that there was a lot of improvement in many villages and requested the corporation to do more to ensure all the communities access potable water.

They said when responding to the chairman’s speech, Mr Lathang Molonda, who reported that the water supply in the district was generally adequate, with a notable improvement to water quality compliance of 75 per cent compared to the previous 25 per cent rate before takeover. He said the improvement was attributed to the installation of chlorination devices at all the villages and settlements reservoirs. Councillors observed that in some villages the communities had their supply augment through bowsing.

They indicated that the water was not adequate as at time the communities stays weeks without water.

Cllr Tapoloso Mosika said: “We have high hopes that the situation would improve for the better as there is a lot of improvement.”

He said residents had been struggling to access potable water since the take-over of water supply by the WUC as district experienced severe shortage. Cllr Vepaune Moreti called on the corporation to come up with some intervention, noting that at Boseja ward, there was water supply but there was a certain area within the ward where residents could not have access to water.

He said officers should go and investigate the cause with a view to come up with the best solution that would benefit the residents. He said they could not wait for the water treatment plant project to be complete while people were suffering. Mr Molonda had said due to inadequate supply attributed to factors such as inadequate storage and incapacitated water reticulation, water in Maun is being rationed to ensure adequate pressures to all wards during their periods of supply.

He said the situation was expected to improve after the completion of the project involving the design, supply and building of a potable water treatment plant, booster bumps and delivery lines. A bigger reservoir is planned to replace the current one that was leaking. He also said water in Shakawe was rationed, with priority given to Shakawe Senior Secondary School. The supply was expected to improve after the delivery of the ideal filtering sand and filter membrane.

Mr Molonda said WUC continued to experience the water misuse problem because farmers water their cattle at public standpipes. This increases operational costs, especially diesel and electricity due to long hours of operation. ENDS