Africa-Press – Botswana. Government is on a path to curb water supply challenges through a variety of measures countrywide.
Assistant Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Mr Motsamai Motsamai stated when addressing Ramotswa District Council (RDC) session on June 10. Mr Motsamai said his visit was instigated by the recent kgotla meeting in Ramotswa addressed by President Advocate Duma Boko where a number of residents raised concern about the water supply challenge in Gamalete. He said government was exploring measures such as expanding and repairing old infrastructure and also promoting water efficiency by exploring alternative water sources to address water scarcity, improve supply throughout the country.
“We are working round the clock to get any form of assistance and we call on investors to venture into any plans we have. The intention is to improve supply and bring services to our people. We are undergoing tough economic times but government is hopeful that we shall get the desired results,” he said.
Mr Motsamai said in its quest to attract investors, government was also considering empowering local contractors who might have an interest in taking part in the water sector reforms.
Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) chief operations officer, Mr Goitseone Tshiamiso said they had established the national water security strategy after realising water supply challenges over the past years to transfer water from the north to water scarce areas especially down south. He said developing a water resource management strategy was important to address the challenge in different areas, which had different needs.
Mr Tshiamiso said investing in infrastructure development was also a priority as they increased treatment plants including the Mmamashia plant which was at 80mega litres per day to 210 mega litres, to augment the existing Gaborone water works. He said as part of the national water strategy, they were exploring alternative water sources such as the Lesotho highlands and Namibia project, Atlantic Ocean desalination and the Chobe- Zambezi which were ongoing projects. He said the water reticulation project at Magope-Disana Ward was divided into two phases.
The first phase includes the construction of a booster station and a 37km pipeline while the second phase comprises of reticulations lines from Magope-Disana and would cost over P31million. Mr Tshiamiso said other notable projects included the expansion of the wastewater network 150km pipeline, which had been submitted to the NDP 12 and expected to cost P500 million over a 24 months period. He said the storm water drainage masterplan design was not included in the transitional NDP but was enlisted at the ministry of local government.
He highlighted that old and poorly maintained water supply infrastructure needed urgent replacement as they were exacerbating the dire situation. Mr Tshiamiso said the reverse osmosis plant in Boatle was dysfunctional because inefficiencies were identified upon its commissioning in 2021. He said it was commissioned and operated but delicate equipment inside the plant were affected and would need over P6 million to reinstate.
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