No end in sight for water restrictions
Maranyane Ngwanaamotho | Thursday April 17, 2014 14:52
“Dam water levels went up from 11 percent at the start of the rain season to 16 percent a few weeks ago,” she said. “The dam water level is now at 15 percent and therefore, water shortage problems have not changed in the greater Gaborone area,” she said.
Mmipi said the WUC has triggered levels that guide decisions on how to manage the Gaborone Dam.
“Start with Level One restrictions, which are a way of life and apply all the time. These are aimed at making Batswana a water-wise nation,” she said.
“Level Two restrictions are implemented once the Dam reaches 55 percent and water rationing starts once the dam reaches 35 percent. Currently Gaborone Dam is at 15 percent and has been below 35 percent since mid 2013,” she stated in the response.
Since the intensification of water restrictions last October, Batswana have been forced to change their lifestyles, with most areas experiencing water cuts lasting up to 12 hours, as many as five times as week.
A snap survey by Mmegi yesterday revealed that many households had taken to keeping large water drums and all forms of containers to conserve the precious commodity in times of water cuts. The WUC has however, previously advised against filling up water tanks to keep at home, saying it worsens the situation as some collect more than they need, creating an unnecessary shortage for others.
Matshidiso Nkabe of Block 7 in Gaborone said she fills her drums everyday.
“This is because you never know,” she said, adding that, “We were told there is a schedule for rationing but it looks like WUC cuts water whenever they feel like. We have no choice. Water can be gone for hours if not days. What are you going to do if you don’t keep water?”
In Block 6, Mmapula Monnaoetla is frustrated with the inconvenience of water shortages as she runs a business that requires use of water.
“You need water in a hair salon. What do you do when you realise there is no water when you need to wash a relaxer cream from a client? Last time I had to ask for water from neighbouring houses so that I could wash my clients. I almost ended up in serious problems with the client!” explained the frustrated salon owner.
They too have resorted to keeping water drums in a salon to guard against those dry days. All eyes are now on the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources’ plans to bridge the gap for Greater Gaborone, between now and the start of the next rain season in October.
Part of the plans include the installation of a fourth pump station on the North-South Water Carrier, to pump a higher volume of water to Greater Gaborone from 60 million litres per day to 110 million litres per day.
In addition, the ministry plans to repair the problematic 26-kilometre stretch along the North-South Water Carrier, near Palapye, which has in the past burst and caused shortages in the south.
Government plans to replace the 26-kilometre section with steel instead of glass-reinforced plastic by July. In addition, a pipeline from Dikgatlhong has been completed and work is ongoing on pump stations to add volumes to Greater Gaborone.