WUC runs out of land for new dams

Wat e r Ut i l i - ties Corporation ( WUC) has initiated plans to maintain the country’s water supply beyond 2029, as the country runs out of land to build new dams.

The Corporation says there are no more viable dam sites suitable for portable water across the country.

“So for water security going forward, beyond 2029, for the next 50 years, we need to explore prospects of getting water from the Chobe Zambezi River and the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia. Progress has been made with regards to Chobe Zambezi,” said Water Utilities Chief Executive Officer, Gaselemongwe Senai.

S e n a i s a i d through negot iat ions wi th neighbouring countries, Botswana has been able to secure 1.95 million cubic litres from the intended Chobe Zambezi River project.

He highlighted that the first consignment to be pumped out of the river will be utilised in the Pandamatenga area for irrigation agriculture before being pumped downstream for domestic use supply. WUC is currently doing bankable feasibility study for the project anticipated to be impl ement ed through a private public partnership ( PPP).

S e n a i a l s o highlighted that the Corporation is currently doing a study to access the impact of the Chobe Zambezi River water connection infrastructure on tariff cost. “We need to do a detailed study to assess the impact of the project and position of government to support the project, maybe through subsidized tariffs,” said Senai.

Over the years, WUC has been suffering losses, as it rolls out its primary mandate to ensure Batswana have water.

Senai said the majority of losses the company suffers is a result of physical losses due to dilapidated infrastructure in the country’s major villages such as Kanye, Mahalapye and Molepolole.

“Due to upgrades, systems are pressurized against sub standard infrastructure,” said Senai, highlighting that the Corporation is currently not in a position to upgrade some of the infrastructure in villages, as it is planned for NDP12.

“The situation is likely to get worse before it gets better,” he said.

Other challenges the Corporation is yet to deal with to minimise its operation losses are stuck water meters that have not been replaced and unbilled consumption to ungazetted settlements through water bourses. The CEO bemoaned that unpaid water bills have also dented operations at the utility company. “Even though we are experiencing financial difficulties, primarily due to low appetite to pay by customers, since the advent of COVID- 19, disconnections are one of the critical interventions to ensure customer payment,” said Senai.

WUC is optimistic that disconnections will help the Corporation to turn its fortunes and move its financials from the red.

“We anticipate that following the end of the State of Emergency ( SoE), and the resolve to implement credit policy to the fullest including disconnections, we will see an improvement in customer payment that will contribute significantly to the Corporation’s financial position.”

Senai also revealed that the Corporation is currently at a tender stage with engagement of debt collectors to assist in collection of outstanding payments. “We needed to first clean up the debt to ensure there are no doubts here and there,” said Senai, citing that inefficiency in billing issues has been resolved.