Yesterday, private sector actors told Mmegi that the manufacturing sector would be the first in line to request WUC for special consideration should water restrictions affect businesses.Last October, government imposed limitations on the use of potable water for gardens, parks, agricultural purposes, sports fields and grounds as well as for construction purposes except with written permission. The measures are similar to those introduced in December 2004 when Gaborone Dam dropped to its lowest level since the dam wall was raised in the mid-1980s. At the time, Gaborone Dam was at 27 percent with eight months of supply.The WUC on Monday said the dam was at 29 percent with 12 months of supply left.
While water for productive purposes is usually prioritised, local businesses are concerned that the severity of the current water shortage will leave the WUC with little choice."Should any form of restrictions be imposed on businesses, manufacturers would be at the front of the line in requesting protection from the WUC, as their water usage is directly linked to production, employment and wealth creation," a senior executive with a local milling company told Mmegi."Within the manufacturers, miners would naturally take the lead as well given their contribution to employment and the economic importance of their commodities. Should all efforts fail, the mitigation measures would raise the costs of production which would be passed onto consumers and eventually workers in the form of rationalisation".
