Shortage of water in Botswana is not a new phenomenon. By the look of things, the situation is set to get gloomier.Botswana's water resources are getting more and more strained as rainfall continues to decline. Early this month, the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) stated that the level of Letsibogo Dam, the country's third largest after Dikgathong and Gaborone dams, has decreased by 46 percent between June 2011 and June 2012, making it the worst recorded decrease over a five-year period.
It stood at 39 percent compared to last year's 86 percent during the same period. Letsibogo supplies the BCL mine, Mmadinare, Palapye and Mahalapye as well as greater Gaborone. At its current level, WUC said Letsibogo Dam can only supply its catchment areas for 12 months without any inflow. Bokaa Dam, on the other hand, registered a decline of 50 percent which will make for three months of supply without inflow. Only Shashe and Ntimbale dams had satisfactory levels at 85 percent and 88 percent respectively. Shashe Dam supplies greater Francistown (Francistown, Tonota, Mathangwane, Matshelagabedi, Matsiloje, Tati Nickel and Mopani Mines) while Ntimbale Dam services the North East and Tutume districts with 50 percent of its water. In a previous interview with Mmegi, WUC chief executive officer, Godfrey Mudanga said their strategy is to monitor dam levels and see what is left without further inflows. Mudanga said as a result of the current dam levels, they have put measures in place.
