Tumelo Setshogo
13 March 2008
The department of water affairs, local government, waste management and pollution control, crop production, environmental health and the University of Botswana have agreed to work together to achieve global sanitation targets.
They made the pledge at a press conference at Cresta Lodge on Monday, marking the National Week on Sanitation celebrations, which will be held countrywide.
The main issue was to make a concerted effort in educating the nation about reuse of wastewater to avoid shortages in the future.
"People need to see wastewater as a resource, not a waste," said Enoch Naane, director of waste management and pollution control.
This year's theme, 'International Year of Sanitation', will focus on critical issues of concern in sanitation such as hygiene promotion, sanitary facilities, water quality case studies, wastewater treatment and reuse options.
Naane said people complain about using recycled water although Europeans use it without a problem. He said the main issue is to teach people that wastewater is a resource and it should be taken care of "because before it can be made available to the people it is thoroughly treated with chemicals".
Naane complained about people who say that water from the Gaborone Dam is contaminated. He said this is a marketing strategy of people who are selling chemicals which clean water "because this water from the dam is treated carefully".
However, Naane confessed that his department is faced with a big task because of a shortage of skilled manpower. The department only operates from Gaborone. He said his staff covers the entire country to make sure that all the areas are serviced.
He also complained of poor management of sanitation facilities, which are managed by the councils. "We gave these properties to council to use , but sometimes they abuse them," complained the sanitation chief.
"Animals are also a problem as they break the fences at the sanitation stations," said Naane.
Naane's words were echoed by a UB lecturer in the environmental department that there should be vigorous educational campaigns about use of wastewater. "I am talking from experience that recycled water is fine to be used after it is cleaned," said Ditiro Benson Moalafi.
He emphasised that neighbouring countries such as South Africa use the water for many purposes "including watering vegetables they sell in our country". Moalafi said "studies have proven that purified wastewater is safe".
The objective of the national water week is to bring together all stakeholders dealing with water to get clarity about whether policies work together with practice.
The celebrations will be held at different districts and villages around the country to educate and sensitise the nation about sanitation.
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Is good to know that efforts are being made to improve the quality of life for Africans.However,there is need to embrace modern technologies in environmental issues and join forces with great environmental groups that mean well for the black race.Let your hygiene service providers embrace Ultrasonic cleaning technology(kleenmates ltd)represents the world leaders of this technology in Africa.Use mobile waste shredders to manage wastes effectively.Get to the people.Encourage environment debates amongst schools. Please keep up the good job, Best Joshua Ezekwe CEO Kleenmates Limited Director,African American Environmentalist Association.