* To introduce smart metres * To manufacture own cleaning water chemicals
Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is at 90 percent to their establishment as a centre of excellence, Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Kefentse Mzwinila said this week.
Mzwinila, who was giving an update regarding land and water issues in the country, said the first aspect of being the centre of excellence is the technological innovation within the Corporation. He added that recently the Palapye Water Treatment Plant received an award for its capacity in technological innovation.
In addition, the Corporation has made strides in manufacturing own mixture of chemicals for cleaning water, further highlighting the Corporation’s ability in technological innovation.
In terms of engineering competence, the Minister said the Corporation is currently building the biggest water treatment facility in SADC in Mmamashia, which will cater for 220 million litres of water per day.
Mzwinila said Botswana is one of the smallest countries in population, but saw it fit to build the biggest water treatment facility in the region. “This is an engineering accomplishment. We are able to take water from Dikgathong dam, a few kilometers from the Zimbabwean border to the north, all the way to Kanye and Molepolole. Not many countries can do this,” he said.
He further said so far, access to water is about 97 percent in gazetted settlements across Botswana. “This means you can go and find portable water in your vicinity,” he said. He however stated that areas that the Corporation still needs to improve on is customer satisfaction and metering.
To address this setback, the Minister said they are embarking on a smart metre programme, following a number of pilot projects that have been carried out over the years. According to Minister Mzwinila, the Corporation is now ready to roll out the smart metres in April 2024.
“We will also be ahead of almost all counties in SADC when we roll out smart meters,” he said, adding that he is confident that the Corporation’s competency will enable them to be declared a regional centre of excellence by the time they rollout the smart meter.
The ministry, according to the minister is also making strides in the sanitation plan for Botswana. They are in the process of providing sanitation guidelines, for example, how to build pit latrine to ensure that it does not affect the environment.
The minister also revealed that there are 172 projects taking place across the country. Among them are water treatment plants in Mahalapye, Palapye, Gumare, Shakawe, which are now completed and operational. “These provide strategic sources from which many villages feed from.”
He added that in the northeast, the ministry has completed the World Bank loan funded project, which connected 52 villages, and the project has been completed and is expected to be commissioned by President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Government has also completed the Lobatse-Mogojwegojwe water supply scheme that has been commissioned. The Goodhope water supply scheme will be completed before the end of the current financial year.
The Tswapong South cluster in the Tswapong area, on the other hand has several projects, which have been completed and will be commissioned by Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane.
Another World Bank funded project was the Selibe Phikwe Serule water supply project, which benefits many villages including, Mmadinare, Serule, Moroomabela, Topisi and Gojwane. It is completed and to be commissioned by the minister.
The Lobatse master plan project, which comprises of two projects has been partly completed and the second phase is to be completed and commissioned next year. It is expected to pump water to around six or seven constituencies in the south of Botswana.
The Gaborone master plan project is completed, with a record-breaking 92 metres reservoir. It is to be commissioned by President Masisi.
Mzwinila, who was giving an update regarding land and water issues in the country, said the first aspect of being the centre of excellence is the technological innovation within the Corporation. He added that recently the Palapye Water Treatment Plant received an award for its capacity in technological innovation.
In addition, the Corporation has made strides in manufacturing own mixture of chemicals for cleaning water, further highlighting the Corporation’s ability in technological innovation.
In terms of engineering competence, the Minister said the Corporation is currently building the biggest water treatment facility in SADC in Mmamashia, which will cater for 220 million litres of water per day.
Mzwinila said Botswana is one of the smallest countries in population, but saw it fit to build the biggest water treatment facility in the region. “This is an engineering accomplishment. We are able to take water from Dikgathong dam, a few kilometers from the Zimbabwean border to the north, all the way to Kanye and Molepolole. Not many countries can do this,” he said.
He further said so far, access to water is about 97 percent in gazetted settlements across Botswana. “This means you can go and find portable water in your vicinity,” he said. He however stated that areas that the Corporation still needs to improve on is customer satisfaction and metering.
To address this setback, the Minister said they are embarking on a smart metre programme, following a number of pilot projects that have been carried out over the years. According to Minister Mzwinila, the Corporation is now ready to roll out the smart metres in April 2024.
“We will also be ahead of almost all counties in SADC when we roll out smart meters,” he said, adding that he is confident that the Corporation’s competency will enable them to be declared a regional centre of excellence by the time they rollout the smart meter.
The ministry, according to the minister is also making strides in the sanitation plan for Botswana. They are in the process of providing sanitation guidelines, for example, how to build pit latrine to ensure that it does not affect the environment.
The minister also revealed that there are 172 projects taking place across the country. Among them are water treatment plants in Mahalapye, Palapye, Gumare, Shakawe, which are now completed and operational. “These provide strategic sources from which many villages feed from.”
He added that in the northeast, the ministry has completed the World Bank loan funded project, which connected 52 villages, and the project has been completed and is expected to be commissioned by President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Government has also completed the Lobatse-Mogojwegojwe water supply scheme that has been commissioned. The Goodhope water supply scheme will be completed before the end of the current financial year.
The Tswapong South cluster in the Tswapong area, on the other hand has several projects, which have been completed and will be commissioned by Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane.
Another World Bank funded project was the Selibe Phikwe Serule water supply project, which benefits many villages including, Mmadinare, Serule, Moroomabela, Topisi and Gojwane. It is completed and to be commissioned by the minister.
The Lobatse master plan project, which comprises of two projects has been partly completed and the second phase is to be completed and commissioned next year. It is expected to pump water to around six or seven constituencies in the south of Botswana.
The Gaborone master plan project is completed, with a record-breaking 92 metres reservoir. It is to be commissioned by President Masisi.
