Molepolole water woes not over despite new connection

Molepolole started receiving water from the GamononyaneMolepolole NSC Water connection in November 2023 resulting in improved supply but still not sufficient to feed the entire village.

Molepolole is among areas which have been experiencing acute shortage of water for many years, the village source of supply has been solely from 14 boreholes located at three wellfields of Gaotlhobogwe, Malwelwe and Suping. The combined yield from the boreholes stands at 8.7 million litres per day (MLD) against demand of 13 MLD.

Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs at Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) Peter Sedingwe said that an additional 0.25MLD is bowsed from Gamononyane Pump station to augment supply.

However, since commissioning of the NSC connection, WUC has been realising challenges particularly in the older parts of Molepolole. These challenges range from pipes with inadequate pressure ratings, lime blockages and persistent pipe failure at lower areas.

“Due to the age of the water distribution network which can be traced as far back as 1995 and beyond, pipe failures are persistent in lower altitude areas of the village,” Sedingwe said.

To mitigate the problems, WUC has deployed additional resources to address pipe failures, as well as construct upgraded pipelines at burst prone areas.

So far blockage removal has been achieved at some wards in the village where calcified lime was cleared.

One of the most critical activities to perform is to proceed with implementation of water

Reticulation Rehabilitation project which will address water distribution channels within the village as well as provision of service pipelines at un-serviced plots of Ranta and New Town wards. The project, he said, would be implemented in six packages. Package six of Wastewater Treatment Plant commenced in October 2023 and expected to take 18 months.

The next package expected to commence in April this year will be construction of primary sewer lines, pump stations and constriction of Primary water infrastructure which includes ring mains and nine service reservoirs.

“This project is expected to improve pressure distribution across Molepolole village,” he explained. The remaining four packages have a scope of constructing water and wastewater reticulation pipelines and will be implemented through NDP12.

Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) spokesperson, Oreeditse Nyatso said the water situation has improved in Molepolole but there is still a lot that can be done. He advised WUC to pull up its socks, saying time has come for government to do away with bowsing especially in government institutions such as schools.

“Public servants are suffering and they have been suffering for years. People are forced to buy water and they part with around P800 per month buying water.

“Bowsing is very risky especially in schools where students can turn mischievous anytime. They can pour harmful substances inside the JoJo tanks and the worst happens,” Nyatso said.