As per its mandate WUC provides primary infrastructure for both potable water and wastewater in all statutory areas. Provision of secondary infrastructure which includes both potable and wastewater reticulation networks as well as associated pump stations is the responsibility of the land owner or the land developer. As per the WUC Act, following the provision of these services by the landowner or developer, WUC operates and maintains the infrastructure provided it meets WUC standards. The same concept applies to services offered by the Botswana Power Corporation.
In the case of Phakalane which is private land and duly incorporated within the city of Gaborone, the land owner is responsible for the provision of secondary infrastructure for his developments just as he did with the existing infrastructure which is classified as secondary and is currently servicing the area. The capacity of these sewer pumping system has over the years become overwhelmed to adequately serve the increased developments in Phakalane and are hence currently in no position to hold any more sewage from the new developments including the 600 BHC houses under discussion. It would be irresponsible for WUC to connect water to these houses with no sewage disposal outlet as this would cause an environmental catastrophe. As a precautionary measure and in accordance with its mandate, WUC maintains its stand to await the provision of the necessary infrastructure by the responsible parties before the said developments can be connected to the water supply.
