31 Aug 2024

Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is taking short and medium term proactive steps to address recurring wastewater spillages in some parts of Selebi Phikwe.

This was said by Minister of Lands and Water Affairs, Honourable Dr Kefentse Mzwinila when answering a parliamentary question recently. Dr Mzwinila said spillages had been investigated and were mainly attributed to old infrastructure, sediment deposits and foreign objects thrown into the wastewater system. He told Parliament that short term Interventions included resourcing and prioritising wastewater management services by attending to blockages and spillages, educating customers on channels of reporting as well as partnering with community leadership for speedily reporting to WUC management.

They also included public education and enforcement of the Trade Effluent Agreement (TEA) binding commercial customers to commit to discharging complying wastewater containing the required composition into our infrastructure as well as engaging outsourced companies to clean and remove silt or accumulate sediments from the outfall sewers in town.

Dr Mzwinila said a company was last engaged in July and significant improvements were observed in the areas that were covered.

On medium term interventions, he said the ministry was currently working on procurement for more outsourcing for other problematic areas and the works were expected to sort this month (September).

He added that desludging of pump stations was also carried out in July and was completed on August 3. He further told Parliament that WUC was undertaking a project this financial year to construct approximately 10km of sewer pipelines in pocket areas not covered by sewer lines, refurbish wastewater pump stations and upgrade works at the treatment ponds as a medium-term solution to an inadequate wastewater scheme.

“The tender for the project is at cooling off period and the tender award is expected to be in September. The project is planned to be completed in 15 months. Upon completion of the works, it is expected that Distance and Newstance areas will have proper access to sewage disposal, and this will improve public health in the area. The upgrading of pump stations will also improve the efficiency of the wastewater scheme and reduce incidents of spillages,” he added.

He also indicated that WUC had strengthened its capacity to deal with sanitation issues by creating an executive position of directory wastewater, which focused on developing and implementing strategies for improving wastewater management services across the country.

“This is also another step to align Botswana services with global best practices and reaffirm our commitment for WUC to being a centre of excellence and regional benchmark,” the minister said.

Selebi Phikwe East MP, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana had asked the minister if he was aware of the deplorable state of the sewage system in the township.