Selebi-Phikwe — Selebi-Phikwe and its surrounding areas have been experiencing erratic water supply since the beginning of September, prompting the introduction of rationing and other remedial measures to restore stability.

As a result, residents in some parts of the town have been experiencing unusual water cuts that have affected mostly their domestic chores. Responding to a Monitor enquiry, Water Utilities Corporation (WUC)'s public relations official (PRO), Matida Mmipi said the insufficient water supply was a result of a planned shutdown to allow for pipe work modification by the project contractor as well as the unforeseen breakdown of high lift pump Number 7, leaving the system running only with pump Number 8. She noted that a combination of these occurrences significantly dropped the storage level at the town's storage reservoirs and that the corporation has been working on raising these levels, hence the measures that were recently enforced to facilitate the speedy recovery of the levels.

Residents of Selebi-Phikwe were requested during this time to observe stringent water restrictions to balance water supply with its demand. As such they were requested to avoid watering gardens and parks as well as sports fields and grounds using potable water. They are also required not to use potable water for construction purposes except where the corporation is unable to provide raw water. Contractors need to contact WUC for guidance and further details. Other measures put in place by the corporation include prohibiting of washing of vehicles with potable water using hosepipes and only washing of vehicles using buckets and pressure cleaners is permissible.

Automatic urinals are prohibited and should all be terminated or retro-fitted within two months of the effective date of these restrictions. Filling of all swimming pools with potable water is restricted as well as the use of potable water for ornamental purposes or water fountains. All defective plumbing and pipe fittings which result in water wastage must be repaired within 24 hours of notice and the use of fire hydrants for drills and other purposes other than fire fighting is prohibited.

"The designed capacity for the Selebi-Phikwe treatment works is 18MI per day which equals the demand. Any loss of storage due to breakdowns therefore has adverse effects on storage."

She further indicated that to address this, the Selebi-Phikwe Water Supply Master Plan commenced two years ago with the objective of upgrading the existing water supply scheme in order to meet the increasing water demand for the next 10 years. "Most of the components of the project are complete and operational and outstanding ones are scheduled for completion before the end of 2009 and commissioning in April 2010," she said.

She however pointed out that although water rationing has been introduced in the whole town it will not affect crucial organisations like BCL Mine and critical services such as hospitals.