WUC experiences vandalism in Kgatleng
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday July 4, 2023 16:58
“Security enhancement measures will be undertaken in the next financial year. Domestic debt also poses a serious challenge as it accounts for about 80% of all debt which now stands at P43.5 million,” he said.
Molokwe told councillors that households need to understand that the money owed to WUC is required to undertake improvements in services. As such, councillors are implored to motivate water users to pay their bills timely.
He, however, said the water parastatal recently opened a Customer Service Centre in Oodi to bring services closer to the people. Still, on the same matter, Molokwe said in the coming financial year, a similar arrangement will be made for Artesia and Sikwane Sub Clusters. Another serious challenge that the chairperson said they are faced with, is that water pipelines are prone to structural failure leading to numerous water leakages experienced in villages.
He said as a long-term solution, network optimisation and rehabilitation are planned to be undertaken in National Development Plan (NDP) 12, subject to the availability of funds. Still under NDP12, river villages are planned to be connected to the Mmamashia water supply scheme as an alternative to supplying from Madikwe Dam. Regarding wastewater systems, Molokwe said Mochudi Service Centre was allocated P11.2 million for the rehabilitation of wastewater ponds this financial year. He revealed the tender is expected to commence by this month.
However, he said WUC constructed a dedicated and bigger pipeline to Matebele village which is already supplying sufficient water. He added: “There is an ongoing project to supply Artesia and Leshibitse from the Masama water supply complex which is planned for completion in July 2024. Construction of a dedicated supply system to Tsope, Bollatshwene, and Diponchi commenced in March 2023 and will complete in September 2023. The system will include a booster station pumping the main elevated reservoir and distribution main.
Furthermore, an assessment was done to identify bottlenecks within the distribution system which inhibit adequate distribution of water.” The chairperson said such were identified in Mochudi at Mabodisa ward, Matebele and Modipane-Mokatse.
Molokwe said to address the bottlenecks, projects to upgrade are planned for the coming financial year which will be undertaken by WUC in-house teams. He said there are areas in some villages which do not have reticulation networks despite plot owners having already developed and residing in those areas. He said this is an inconvenience to the community and WUC is in consultation with relevant offices to resolve the matter.