Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) has embarked on an emergency project to address water shortage in some parts of Kanye. The works, which commenced beginning of this month, are expected to be complete by end of next September.
WUCs chief executive officer, Mr Gaselemogwe Senai told residents in a kgotla meeting addressed by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on Thursday that the project was intended to address pipe leakages that resulted in water shortage in the village. He noted that ideally, the water shortage in the village was estimated to be 13 per cent, but due to damaged pipes, the shortage was at 50 per cent.
He said that even though Kanye was connected to the North-South Water Pipeline alongside other villages such as Thamaga and Moshupa in 2019, effective water distribution was still a challenge, owing to damaged pipes.
The daily water demand for Kanye is around 13.2 million litres and ideally the shortage should be 13 percent, which is not bad, considering the average supply across the country. However, the shortage is at 50 per cent because most of the water is lost underground, he explained.
Mr Senai disclosed that the project intended to rehabilitate about 266km of pipes network, augment existing reservoirs with an additional two water tanks, while part of the funds would be channelled towards improving their systems. Once complete, the project is expected to address water challenges at Ntsweng, Mafhikana, Taukobong, Ditootso, Kebuang, Tloung, Goo-Kgano, Logaba, Kgwatlheng and Mathubapula wards.
He noted that the plan was to use the same trenches for the just-ended sewage project in order to reduce drilling works which may take time.
This will make things easier because most parts of the village are characterised by hard rocks underground, Mr Senai said.
He advised residents to apply to be connected to the sewage network. He said since the completion of the project, they had received over 180 applications, mainly from government entities and businesses, and 76 of which had already undergone assessment. I urge you to connect so that we can test the effectiveness of the newly-completed project, he said.
In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Malope II of Bangwaketse listed shortage of water, as well as delayed construction of a stadium and new hospital as some of the major concerns in the village. However, he said he was optimistic that the water emergency works would put an end to the water woes in the village.Kanye North MP, Mr Thapelo Letsholo appreciated that the long standing water challenges would finally find a permanent solution. He said the response towards such challenges indicated the governments commitment towards ensuring effective service delivery.
For a long time we could not benefit from projects such as Masama because the water could not reach the standpipes, thereby defying the intended objective, he said. ENDS
Source: BOPA
Author: Kehumile Moekejo
