KCS calls for increased water conservation efforts
Baboki Kayawe | Friday April 10, 2015 14:07
The conservation body has called on citizens to contribute meaningfully towards water conservation initiatives as these can no longer be an exclusive mandate of the water authorities alone.
Acting KCS chief executive officer, Baboloki Autlwetse said that locally, issues of water conservation are thought to be a preserve of government and its agencies.
“What we don’t realise as individuals is that we all can and should contribute towards water conservation, notably by avoiding unnecessary wastage of water as individuals at the household level,” he said.
He explained that this entailed simple actions such as avoiding long showers, fixing leaking taps, and using waste water to water gardens.
He said these are simple practices that could contribute significantly to national water conservation efforts.
Autlwetse added that that the key mandate of KCS is environmental and biodiversity conservation. The mandate becomes an insurmountable challenge when water resources become limited.
“Water is life and conservation generally entails utilisation of critical life-supporting resources such as water in a way that safeguards the needs of all future life forms, people included,” he said.
He called for the amplification of flagship projects such as rainwater harvesting in Shoshong Senior Secondary, which is used for ablution and grey water recycling in Motsumi Junior Secondary in Letlhakane that is used for gardening. “Locally, it would be gravely incorrect to claim that there is enough water
conservation while we still have people not conserving water at the household level, with some even watering their livestock using potable water from their household taps. Water conservation should be a way of life,” he said.
Autlwetse said investment in desalination plants and wastewater treatment units are some of the ways in which KCS believe the water crunch could be addressed. Further, partnerships on how to address the prevailing water challenges are important strides in the right direction.
Autlwetse said that globally, 2005-2015 was declared International Decade for Action on ‘Water for Life’ and that the water crisis is a global phenomenon that needs to be addressed at all levels - individual up to the global level.
At the recent World Water Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called for hydro-diplomacy, “as the threat of water scarcity risks plunging the world into a period of geopolitical tension and stunted development”.
John Wilmoth, director of UN Population Division said that management of urban areas has become one of the most important development challenges of the 21st century.
On April 1, the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) implemented new water tariffs meant to address disparities in water billing among other issues. This is the second phase of water tariffs rationalisation and adjustment, with the first leg having been implemented in 2012. In the second phase, equitable and cost reflective provision of quality water and wastewater services are reported to be a priority.
For instance, all domestic, commercial and industrial users in the country would be paying a minimum of P20 monthly. In addition, a user in Gaborone who consumes between 0-5 kilolitres monthly pays P2. Those using between five to 15 kilolitres pay P8, while those who use between 15-25 per month pay P13. A monthly usage of over 40 kilolitres attracts a water bill of P25.
A statement from WUC says the various water authorities that the corporation took over established tariffs independently. That is why WUC had different tariffs depending on the area.
“Due to these varying tariffs, some customers used to pay up to 300% more than other customers for the same amount of consumption and quality of water,” WUC explains.
The first rationalisation reduced the number of tariffs from 28 to 11. The recently approved structure reduces them to five. Under the new structure the inconsistencies have, to a large extent been addressed.
“Furthermore, the corporation is introducing a wastewater tariff that will be incorporated into customers’ monthly bills. The charge for the wastewater tariff is based on consumption of potable water. The tariff also follows a stepped tariff block just like that of potable water,” WUC says.