Gabane taps to run dry for three months
Residents of Gabane and other nearby villages will be experiencing water supply interruptions for the next three months, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has revealed.
This is due to the replacing of a water pipeline in the area.
According to WUC, the pipeline has been experiencing frequent breakdowns and a decision was taken to replace it. “The project started on the 11th May 2022 and expected to take up to three months. The second phase is expected on the 1st June 2022,” Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Peter Sedingwe said.
Initial communication by WUC to the public at the start of the project was that water would be disconnected for two to three days followed by seven days of supply until the end of the project.
However, during the first phase of the project, there was no single drop coming from the taps for a full week. Recovery only commenced at the end of day seven. Some areas of the village had to wait for an additional two to three days to finally get water. Being one of the most densely populated villages near Gaborone, Gabane was visibly in crisis during the weeklong period of no water supply. Men and women, the young and old, stayed up until late into the night following water bowser trucks that supplied water in the village. Wherever a water tanker was spotted in the village, the place quickly got crowded with people carrying water containers and buckets. Despite the efforts by WUC to bring the residents water, some returned home with empty buckets. Those using sedans were forced to beg for water from Tsolamosese and Mogoditshane areas. Most small businesses like hair salons and car washes were severely impacted, to the extent that others stopped operating altogether. When explaining why there was no water for the entire week, Sedingwe said there were delays in the completion of the first phase owing to the major drainage work that was required.