08 May 2025

The P40 million ongoing project of Semolo water treatment project is expected to address water shortage at Sehithwa and surrounding villages.

Existing plant is said to have exceeded its 20-year lifespan and not functioning to its full capacity. 

Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) awarded a tender to a citizen contractor last year October to construct a new plant expected to be completed October this year.

The new plant will supply potable water to villages of Bodibeng, Bothatogo, Sehithwa, Kareng, Legotlhwane and Toteng.

WUC Sehithwa sub-cluster supervisor, Mr Mokeresete Ramontsho revealed this when responding to some comments raised by residents of Sehithwa and Legotlhwane during a kgotla meetings addressed by Member of Parliament (MP) for Maun West, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama on Wednesday.

Some residents complained about acute water shortage, saying they spent months without water and some ended up drinking from boreholes and other sources, putting their health at risk as the water was not safe for consumption.

He appreciated that the plant was old and that its efficiency had gone down, hence there was acute water shortage in their villages and urged them to exercise patience as once the project was complete, water woes would be the thing of the past.

“We expect this project to improve the situation once it is completed. We are expecting the contractor to complete and handover the project by October this year,” he added.

Mr Ramontsho further noted the project would produce sufficient water of which, the surplus would supply Tsau as its plant was not functioning and residents relied on water bowsing by the corporation.

While he appreciated that villagers were experiencing water shortage, he highlighted that the situation was worsened by some residents who shared potable water with their livestock, while some used it for construction activities.

He however warned them to stop the practice, saying water supplied by the corporation was strictly for human consumption.

Area MP, Mr Hikuama said  water shortage was a challenge country wide and stated that it was high time the government focused on finding a lasting solution to address the problem.

He cited that the situation was exacerbated by old water infrastructure, calling on the new administration to prioritise repair of such infrastructure to ensure Batswana have access to clean and potable water.

The corporation, he said, was forced to ration water because some plants were old and not producing sufficient water and thus affected schools and health facilities among others.

“Water is life and without it, life comes to a standstill and I am hopeful that the new government will invest in infrastructure to ensure a safe and sustainable water for all,” he added.

Mr Hikuama also urged residents to water their livestock from boreholes instead of supplying them with potable water meant for consumption.

On other issues, he informed residents that the government had taken a decision to fund ongoing projects this financial year due to inadequate budget to undertake new projects.

He also highlighted that the National Development Plan 12 document would be finalised by July.

The MP appreciated that residents had proposed some projects to be included in the plan, citing the construction of a primary hospital but stressed that not all would be approved and funded. ENDS