Molepolole water woes worsen
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday May 25, 2016 16:54
The affected areas include Molepolole, Thamaga, Thebephatshwa and surrounding villages.
On Monday, acting WUC chief executive, Mmetla Masire told a kgotla meeting that even as the utility has been grappling with providing enough water for these areas, the situation had worsened forcing them to initiate level two water restrictions.
The restrictions include bans on using potable water for gardens, construction, filling up of swimming pools, washing of vehicles, pavements and others. In addition, automatic urinals in these areas will have to be removed within two months, while all defective plumbing and pipefittings must be repaired within seven days of notice. Masire said that the low rains in the past year coupled with network problems experienced by the Molepolole water management centre meant that the WUC is currently experiencing a 69% water supply deficit in the villages.
He said currently boreholes in the area are operating at maximum capacity, which is risky, adding that places in high areas were the hardest hit by the water shortage.
“The situation is bad. There is a huge difference in terms of water supply and demand. We have to find solutions to control water usage thats why we engaged our trigger points. “Residents should understand that the restrictions are not meant to punish them but to control water usage because there is a shortage,” Masire said. He stated that the Molepolole water management area has an old network that needs to be expanded and resuscitated. He however said lack of funding had been a hindrance.
“The corporation needs at least P30 billion to carry out network expansion and resuscitation throughout the country, as the situation is a countrywide problem.
“WUC infrastructure or pipes traversing long distances have been vandalised for the illegal creation of feed points for livestock by farmers and this has resulted in water losses of between 30% and 40%,” the acting CEO said. Residents in the area have expressed frustration at the water situation and accused the WUC of ‘neglecting and undermining’ their area. Councillor Tona Selala said there was too much water lost to the ground because WUC was failing to attend to leaking pipes on time. “It sometimes takes over a month for WUC to fix a leaking pipe and this is due to their failure to employ more people,” he said.
“You are saying we should help you with solutions to the situation but the problem is with you. We are losing too much water to the ground because your response time is bad.
“You take too long to attend to leaking pipes. But again you can’t manage if you don’t employ.”
Elisabeth Sedimo, a schoolteacher at Neil Primary School, said they had been without water for over five years, but continued to pay bills. She said the WUC should re-look the issue of minimum charge because it does not make sense to pay for ‘ghost pipes’ that do not provide water.
“Our children at school are suffering as they go for days without drinking water. We are forced to use the pit latrine, which poses a health hazard.
“This minimum charge to me doesn’t make sense.”