CHAPTER 12

WATER RESOURCES

and changeable. More investment will INTRODUCTION need to be put on water demand management and conservation in order to 12.1 is a country with scarce reduce overuse, resource wastage which water resources, both surface and can include water losses of more than 30% groundwater. Vision 2016 recognizes this in some water supply schemes. problem and states that by the year 2016, Botswana must have a national water 12.3 This chapter sets out the path development and distribution strategy that towards meeting Batswana’s aspirations will make water affordable and accessible on water in 2016. It outlines the policy to all, including those who live in small changes, strategies and projects necessary and remote settlements. It goes on further in NDP 9 in order to make vision 2016 a to state that Batswana must use water as reality. efficientlyaspossiblebyusingwater efficient technology and various water Institutional Framework conservation techniques such as water harvesting from rooftops, and that it must 12.4 Water resources management, play a full part in negotiating and which in this context includes all activities promoting international agreements from planning and development up to concerning water usage and storage at a water delivery at the customer end, is the regional level, to provide a buffer against responsibility of a number of institutions, localised drought, which is not an which include but are not limited to the uncommon phenomenon in Botswana. following key players; Department of This vision is consistent with the SADC Water Affairs (DWA), Water Utilities vision for water, which envisions the Corporation (WUC), Department of utilisation of the regions water resources in Geological Survey (DGS), Ministry of an equitable and reasonable manner. Local Government (MLG), District Councils, National Conservation Strategy 12.2 In the past, because of the level of (Coordinating) Agency (NCSA) and the infrastructural development, Botswana’s new Department of Sanitation and Waste water resources management approach Management (DSWM) established in NDP was based on what is called the ‘water 8. supply management paradigm’. This paradigm is based primarily on the tenet 12.5 The Ministry of Minerals, Energy that water needs are requirements which and Water Resources (MMEWR) has must be met and consequently it is focused overall responsibility for policy in the on development of new sources and water sector. Within MMEWR, the structures in an attempt to manipulate the Department of Water Affairs has the world’s water resources to meet perceived responsibility for national planning and/or water needs. The reality is that water is a water allocation. This task involves finite resource and no amount of making decisions about which next major manipulation can change that fact. In source of water should be brought on line NDP 9, there will be need for a shift and to supply which part of the country. towards a paradigm, which considers Through a bilateral cooperation project water needs as demands that are variable between the Government of Botswana and

216 the Danish Government carried out in Government focusing on smaller NDP 8, DWA has also now been upgrading works in between the major designated the national focal point for rehabilitation works, pending a decision on water conservation in Botswana. rearrangement of the water sector based on the results of the National Water Master 12.6 In the area of water resources Plan (NWMP) review. development (i.e. construction of dams and wellfields, water transfer from source to 12.9 In order to facilitate efficiency and user point, and water reticulation at the effectiveness, the whole arrangement of end user point) the Water Utilities water supply authorities in Botswana will Corporation is responsible for be reviewed in early NDP 9. The current development of infrastructure and water arrangement in which there can be up to supply to urban centres and other areas as four water supply authorities in a relatively may be designated by the Minister, while small area from a water distribution point development work aimed at rural villages of view, e.g. (WUC), is mainly shared between DWA and MLG. and (DWA), and , The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible and Metsimotlhabe ( for constructing small dams targeted District Council), Oodi, Morwa and etc., mainly for agricultural use. (Kgatleng District Council), amounts to promotion of inefficient use of resources 12.7 In NDP 8, whereas DWA was and is not focused on delivering good responsible for development of sources of quality service to the customer but respect supply (dams and wellfields), supported by for historical institutional mandates and DGS in the case of wellfield development, district boundaries. In order to realise and the construction of water reticulation Vision 2016, this situation will need schemes for almost all rural villages, urgent attention in early NDP 9. MLG’s main responsibility remained concentrated on operating and maintaining 12.10 The decision to transfer wastewater small to medium rural village water supply responsibilities to the Ministry of Local schemes through Water Units located in Government (MLG) was partially effected the District Councils. While the gradual in NDP 8 with the establishment of the take-over of the operation and Department of Sanitation and Waste maintenance responsibilities for the 17 Management (DSWM). Complete transfer major village water supplies by the District of all wastewater responsibilities including Councils was proposed in NDP 8, this planning and construction of wastewater responsibility remained with DWA. This facilities will be achieved in early NDP 9. situation is likely to continue throughout DWA will only focus on completing NDP 9 as the District Councils could ongoing projects in NDP 9. hardly cope with the operation and maintenance of schemes already under REVIEW OF THE WATER SECTOR their responsibility and called on DWA for PERFORMANCE DURING NDP 8 assistance on numerous occasions and thus also putting a significant strain on DWA’s 12.11 During NDP 8, Government had limited manpower resources. two aims in the water sector: a. To meet the water requirements of the 12.8 The design and construction of new population through provision of a village water supply schemes including clean, reliable and affordable water major rehabilitation works on existing supply, which is available to all, and schemes will continue to be done by DWA in NDP 9, with Ministry of Local

217 b. To meet water requirements for overstretched in some areas to industrial, mining, agricultural, accommodate these cases. wildlife, commercial and institutional users in order to achieve the major 12.15 In accordance with WUC Act, the aims of rapid economic growth and Corporation provides primary sustained development. infrastructure and requires developers to provide secondary infrastructure. Whilst These aims will continue to be valid this may appear to be very clear, major throughout NDP 9 as they are in perfect problems were experienced in NDP 8, with alignment with Vision 2016. the servicing of land in WUC statutory areas, which is a responsibility of either Urban Water Supply and Demand Government or private land owners. The problems were mainly due to lack of 12.12 Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) standard procedures guiding developers in supplies water to six urban/mining centres both State land and private-owned land. in Botswana. WUC took over Phase 1 Plots were allocated in areas that are not assets of the North South Carrier Water serviced and as a result plot owners had to Project (NSCWP), for operation and endure the frustration of not getting water maintenance during NDP 8, and this supply connections. tripled the asset base of the Corporation leading to significant increases in urban 12.16 This situation will need to be water supply tariffs in order to recover addressed in NDP 9, as quite clearly, it is investment costs. the customers in the end, who suffer, and not WUC or the other government 12.13 Despite the intermittent drought agencies involved. Such an approach to during NDP 8, WUC was able to supply land allocation is also not consistent with all its customers without any need for other broader national goals such as water supply restrictions throughout NDP attracting foreign investment into 8. The transfer of water from Letsibogo Botswana, as investors get very Dam under the NSCWP improved the discouraged by delays in obtaining basic water resources situation significantly for services such as water after being allocated the Greater Gaborone Area, surrounding land. This could easily be avoided by villages and villages along the ensuring that land is properly serviced Gaborone/ corridor. before allocation.

12.14 WUC experienced a further 12.17 An average increase in water increase in demand during NDP 8 from demand of 16% was recorded by the Water peri-urban villages and some villages Utilities Corporation (WUC) between along the NSCWP. These are areas, which 1998 and 1999, dropping to 4% between fall outside WUC statutory area of supply 2000 and 2001. This trend was caused by and were connected to the urban water the tariff increase and standpipe supply infrastructure following upgrades disconnection. Table 12.1 summarise the of the urban water supply infrastructure Corporation’s performance during the first that did not include them. Thus the half of NDP 8. existing WUC infrastructure was

218 Table 12.1 Performance Indicators for Water Utilities Corporation1996/97 – 2000/01

1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 Total water sales 106m3 25,5 27,7 23,3 35,6 37,2 New connections made 4,187 2,137 4,215 1,865 4,928 (No.) Total connections in 40,532 42,669 46,884 48,749 53, 677 service Total assets in millions of 431.5 1,091.1 1,616.1 1,807.0 1,991.4 Pula Average tariff (constant) 3.50 4.06 4.74 5.31 6.22 Pula/K1 Source: Water Utilities Corporation

12.18 In anticipation of further growth in due to shortage of staff and financial demand, particularly in , constraints. Gerald Estates, WUC decided in 2000 to update the Greater Francistown Water 12.21 All water borne sanitation projects Supply Master Plan last reviewed in 1987. in NDP 9 will be carried out by The reviewed plan recommended the Department of Sanitation and Waste implementation of some major capital Management. Upgrading of Maun water works in the form of treatment works, supply and water borne sanitation schemes pump stations, pipelines and storage to was delayed due to the unavailability of a enable transfer of water from Shashe longer-term water supply source. Both the works to Greater Francistown Area. water supply and sanitation components of Implementation of the recommendations of this project were at the design stage at the the reviewed plan reached detailed design time of preparation of NDP 9, and stage towards the end of NDP 8 and construction was planned to take place in construction will be done during NDP 9. NDP 9.

Major Village Water Supply 12.22 reverse osmosis water treatment (desalination) plant was 12.19 The upgrading of Kanye, completed during NDP 8. The plant 3 and water supply; produces 30 m /hr of fresh water with a , Tlokweng and Mogoditshane TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) not more water and sanitation schemes were than 400 mg/l. completed in NDP 8. Detailed design for Chart 12.1 numbers of private water water sanitation schemes for , connections & metered consumption in major , , /Shashe and villages DWA Reports 2001 Ghanzi were completed during NDP 8.

Construction started towards the end of n 25,000 100,000 NDP 8 and will continue into the middle of 20,000 80,000 ) NDP 9. 15,000 60,000

10,000 40,000 (m3 x1000)

12.20 Ministry of Local Government 5,000 20,000 Amount (Px1000 completed sanitation under Production/Consumptio 0 0 NDP 8. Kanye, and Molepolole water 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 borne sanitation and, , Year

Thamaga, and Tsabong water Consumption (m3 x103) Production (m3x103) supply and water borne sanitation design Operating cost Px103) and construction were deferred to NDP 9 Source: Major Village Water Supply Database

219 12.23 As can be observed from Table 12.24 Cost recovery performance in the 12.2 below, the demand for private major villages during NDP 8 was not connections increased significantly significant as efforts were concentrated on towards the end of the NDP 8 period. This setting up an effective computerized in turn increased total water consumed by billing system to facilitate effective billing 32.7% (see Chart 12.1). The increases and revenue collection. Tariffs were only reflect changes in economic activities, reviewed towards the end of NDP 8. The improved standard of living and level of costs of supply rose significantly as a developments in the major villages. A result of the purchase of bulk water from similar trend in increase of private WUC for a number of major villages, in connections and water consumption is which the cost at which the water is expected in NDP 9. The rate of private bought from WUC is significantly higher water connection did not meet demand than the cost at which it is sold to the fully, and resulting in a total of 2,358 customer. Increase in the billing rate and outstanding connections to be made as at revenue collection in major villages was June 2002. achieved in NDP 8. At the time of preparation of NDP 9, billing rate was over 90% and arrears of revenue were on the way down, whilst revenue collected was on the way up (see Chart 12.2).

Chart 12.2 Water Sales & Arrears of Revenue in Major Villages 1996/97 - 2000/01

60 50 n 40 30 20 P.Millio 10 0 04/96- 04/97- 04/98- 04/99- 04/00- 03/97 03/98 03/99 03/00 03/01 C urrent Arrears 9.52 21.61 28.74 31.76 22.07 Yearly Revenue 14.51 12.21 21.28 25.34 48.26 Amount Billed 22.19 24.29 28.41 28.37 38.57

C urrent Arrears Yearly Revenue Amount Billed

Source: Major Village Water Supply Database Regional Buildings

12.25 During NDP 8, construction of DWA regional buildings was completed in the following areas; Francistown, , Molepolole, Mochudi, Palapye, Maun and Tsabong. Ramotswa regional building will be completed in NDP 9.

220 Table 12.2 Increase in the Number of Private Connections Over NDP 8 in the 17 Major Villages (Data from Major Village Water Supply Database in DWA)

Year 1996/97 1997/98 1998/99 1999/00 2000/01 2001/02

Total No. of 46,608 52,099 57,654 64,248 70,769 78,866 Connections

Difference From 5,491 5,555 6,594 6,521 8,097 Year Before Source: Department of Water Affairs

12.29 The main problem encountered Rural Village Water Supply during NDP 8 in the operation of rural village water supply schemes was 12.26 Rehabilitation and upgrading watering of livestock through of existing rural village water supply standpipes. Since there is no schemes continued in NDP 8. A total provision for animal watering in the of 254 projects for rehabilitation and design of water supply schemes, this upgrading were completed, 45 of exerted serious stress on some of the these being major rehabilitation and schemes. The Ministry of Local upgrading projects, which were Government will address this problem contracted out to private consultants in NDP 9. There was also a noticeable and contractors, while the rest were increase in the number of villages done in-house mainly by DWA. This experiencing sudden water shortages. is 21% above the NDP 8 planned This meant that emergency projects target of 210 projects for rehabilitation had to be put in place to solve these and upgrading. crises, leading to increased unplanned workload for both the DWA and 12.27 Groundwater investigations MLG. Improved monitoring of daily were successfully completed in 211 production and water level monitoring villages, thus leading to provision of will need to be established in NDP 9 additional supply and standby within District Council Water boreholes. This was 18% above the Units/Departments in order to deal NDP 8 planned target of 179 villages with this problem. in which additional boreholes were to be drilled. 12.30 The other major problem encountered with the rural village 12.28 In line with the policy of water supply schemes was the rapid decentralisation, the District Councils growth in demand in some of these were also able to undertake some of villages. Some villages underwent a the development projects in change in character and became small rehabilitation and upgrading of rural towns with related commercial, village water supply schemes. The industrial and institutional functions Council’s share of the water e.g. Masunga, , Gumare, development budget has steadily and etc. Demand for water increased from 10% in NDP 7 to 40 % increased not only through increase in in NDP 8. This clearly shows that number of standpipes, but also through there was progress achieved during growing number of private NDP 8 in building of District Council connections; for instance in capacity to do some of the water Bobonong, the connections increased development projects. from 970 in 1997 to 5,000 in 2001.

221 of a severe drought, which is common 12.31 As during NDP 7, problems in Botswana. were again encountered during NDP 8 due to lack of effective coordination 12.34 MMEWR also recognizes the between ministries with respect to link between poverty and water development of institutions in villages, availability, and that the worst affected which require huge water supplies. people in terms of poverty in When no plans are put in place in Botswana are women. Not much was advance by the water supply done during NDP 8 to address this authorities to cater for these issue. This will be addressed in NDP institutions, they put a significant 9 as part of the National Water Master strain on the existing water supply Plan Review. Support in dealing with scheme for a village. The Department this issue will be required from the of Water Affairs and the Department Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs. of Local Government and Development in MLG will in NDP 9 Miscellaneous Water Supplies try to take a proactive role and ensure that development plans specifically for 12.35 During NDP 8, DWA ministries such as Education, Health continued to receive requests for and other agencies likely to build new additional water supplies from other large institutions in villages are taken Ministries and Departments. Most of into account in design of the these requests were spontaneous and rehabilitation work for rural village not adequately planned for, water supply schemes. particularly in terms of availability of adequate funding. As a result, most of Agricultural Water Use these projects were half completed at the end of NDP 8 and deferred to NDP 12.32 Small dams have been built by 9. the Water Development Section of the Ministry of Agriculture on appropriate Water Tariffs catchments since the early 1980’s for purposes of watering livestock. In 12.36 The last but one rural water addition, large multi-purpose dams are tariff review was carried out in 1993, planned in NDP 9 to cater for both when authority was given to increase domestic and agricultural use. rural tariffs by margin not exceeding 45% per annum for four consecutive 12.33 At the time of preparation of years commencing in 1993/94 to NDP 9, plans were under way to use 1996/97. These increases were treated effluent from Gaborone for affected at 45% in July 1993, March irrigation upstream of the Gaborone 1995 and August 1996. The pricing Treatment Works. The Department of policy during NDP 8 was aimed at Water Affairs was also in the process first achieving 100% recovery of the of developing a plan to make water operation & maintenance costs for the from polluted wellfields such as 17 major villages and thereafter move Ramotswa available for small-scale on to partial capital costs recovery. irrigation. The complete handover of these wellfields or boreholes within 12.37 Overall the level of cost these wellfields to private operators recovery in the 17 major villages went would not be desirable as these down in NDP 8 mainly due to the bulk wellfields can still be used in the event water supply rate imposed by WUC

222 which led to an increase in operational that the utility has to be commercially costs of about 20% per annum. viable and therefore has to fund the costs of expansion of future supply 12.38 The revised tariffs effected in systems. Although the Corporation December 2001 were set out such that; increased efficiency and kept the cost increases far below the rate of inflation, these adjustments were to • Rate for consumers supplied from meet the requirements of the North DWA sources increased by 18% South Carrier Water Project, which is per annum for the next six years. owned and operated by the • Rate for the domestic, commercial Corporation. and industrial users in villages supplied through bulk supply from Information Technology (IT) WUC increased by 27% per annum for the next six years. 12.42 During NDP 8, a number of • Rate for Government and Council communication infrastructure institutions in WUC supplied development projects were completed villages increased by 72% per within MMEWR. The Department of annum for the next six years. Water Affairs initiated a project to provide its outstation offices with 12.39 During NDP 8 water continued improved network infrastructure. This to be free at public standpipes. resulted in great improvement in data However, the budgetary provision for management and transmission within standpipes declined in major villages the various stations. as more households chose private connections. Demand for private 12.43 Due to rapid changes in the IT connections continued to increase field, this improvement was short during the NDP 8 plan period. lived as by the beginning of 2001 the Towards the end of the review period, departmental billing system was 92% of water consumed in the major drastically changed to an improved villages was through private database management system that connections. rendered the existing hardware including the servers inadequate. The 12.40 The annual tariff increase for improved billing system was a urban areas rose from 12.66% in necessary change whose new 1996/97 to 17.14% in 2000/01. The components include assets effect of the tariff increases on water management modules to assist the consumption was more significant in operators to better manage the water the domestic consumption category supply schemes and thereby in the than for public institutions. The result long term reduce breakdowns and was a drop in consumption in the water losses. The Departments of domestic consumption category. Mines, Geological Survey, Ministry Standpipes were phased out and this Headquarters and Energy Affairs reduced the losses dramatically. Division also installed Local Area Networks, which composed of cabling 12.41 The main objective behind the and provision of servers. urban water tariff increases in NDP 8 was to be in line with the 12.44 A number of business systems Corporation’s mandate of full cost and applications projects were also recovery. The WUC Act stipulates completed in NDP 8. In the financial

223 year 1999/2000 the Department of supply and high mobility of IT Water Affairs implemented the specialists. Computer Aided Design (CAD) to assist in the production of village Water Resources Investigation water reticulation maps. This project and Development also involved training of 5 draftsmen and 3 technicians in the operation of 12.48 As a follow-up to the the system. The introduction of CAD recommendations of the National system tremendously improved the Water Master Plan (NWMP), the Palla production level in the DWA design Road and Khurutshe Groundwater office. The quality and accuracy of the Investigation and Resource drawings also improved significantly Assessment Project - Phase 2 was compared to the hand drawn ones. successfully completed during NDP 8. The main objective of this project was 12.45 The Department of Water to develop groundwater resources in Affairs also started the implementation the area to act as a strategic back-up of the Water Resources Information supply for the North South Carrier System in October 2000. The first Pipeline. phase of the project involved purchasing of hardware and software. 12.49 The Kanye, Ramonnedi and The second phase of the project started Moshaneng Areas Groundwater in May 2001 and involved the actual Resource Evaluation Project was also development and integration of completed in NDP 8. The other major systems and a number of databases. groundwater resources investigation projects successfully completed during 12.46 The Water Resources NDP 8 were: Information System Project was a major step forward in information (i). Maun Groundwater Development management in the Ministry. It Project – Phase 1 aimed at provides links to management identifying potential wellfield databases such as accounts and this areas, which could supply Maun, facilitates the checking of up-to-date and surrounding areas. Phase II of balances on each vote in DWA on line this project aimed at developing and should eliminate the problem of wellfields in the identified good over expenditure on votes and the groundwater potential areas consequent audit queries, which take commenced during NDP 8 and up a lot of productive work time to will be completed in early NDP 9, resolve. (ii). Serowe Wellfield II Extension Project aimed at extending the 12.47 During NDP 8, WUC wellfields supplying Serowe. A implemented Master Information number of production boreholes Systems Plan (MISP) whose objective were drilled in the project and the covered the areas of business system, resources in the developed area technology and information quantified. An emergency project technology support. In the aimed in part to connect these undertaking of this project, urgent boreholes to the Serowe water attention and priority was given to the supply system commenced core business applications. The risks towards the end of NDP 8, in this project have been the short (iii). Tsabong Groundwater Investigation and Resources

224 Assessment aimed at identifying including the Water Well resources adequate to meet the Rehabilitation Project were deferred to demand for Tsabong, , NDP 9 due to lack of resources. The and the surrounding planned hydrogeological settlements, reconnaissance survey over the entire (iv). North East Regional Groundwater Okavango Delta could also not be Investigation Project aimed at undertaken during NDP 8 due to identifying and securing a manpower and financial constraints. permanent water source for villages in the North East District 12.51 Parallel to the activities of and parts of the Central District. DWA, the DGS also carried out This project was successfully several groundwater investigation and completed during the plan period resource assessment projects during and identified the Ntane sandstone NDP 8. These projects were mainly aquifer in the area as TGLP projects carried out on behalf of capable of sustainable supplying the Ministry of Agriculture and the the northeast region, Ministry of Local Government. The (v). Maitengwe Wellfield following projects were planned for Development and Resources NDP 8: Werda and TGLP Assessment Project which areas in the , occurred as a result of the Sekoma and Mabutsane TGLP areas Northeast Groundwater in Southern and Kweneng Districts Investigation Project, aimed at and Northwestern Ngamiland project developing a wellfield with in the Ngamiland District. adequate water resources to meet water demands of villages in the 12.52 The Bokspits Area project was northern region. A wellfield was completed in NDP 8. The Werda, developed 40 km northwest of Sekoma and Mabutsane areas were Maitengwe village. Adequate combined into one project and at the resources were identified. time of preparation of this plan, the Recharge rates in this area are low project was due for completion at the therefore the supply will be end of NDP 8. The North- Western sustained if used in conjunction Ngamiland project was also due for with the to be completion at end of NDP 8. developed in the early stages of NDP 9, 12.53 The planned project to drill (vi). The Boteti Groundwater deep boreholes in the Kgalagadi and Resources Investigation Project, other areas where the possibility of scheduled for completion in early deep aquifers were suspected was not NDP 9. The project is aimed at carried out due to a change in scope of securing adequate water supply for the project. However, a new project 11 villages within the Boteti Sub- called the Kalahari Research Project District. conceived and started during NDP 8 under Groundwater Studies and 12.50 Regional groundwater Protection will be completed in NDP investigation and assessment projects 9. were also planned for implementation duringNDP8inthefollowingareas, 12.54 The / Lokalane Ghanzi, Matsheng, Goodhope, and Groundwater Investigation Project Mabutsane. All these projects was also successfully completed

225 during NDP 8. The results of the Water Quality, Protection, and project were positive, good quality and Conservation quantity of water was found in some areas of the project. A follow-up 12.58 The project aimed at study will be carried out in NDP 9 assessment of the social acceptability, aimed at supplying the Matsheng economic and technical viability of Villages. wastewater reuse was deferred following the establishment of the new 12.55 On surface water resources Department of Sanitation and Waste assessment and development, Management (DSWM). Following following the feasibility and clarity on the functions of this preliminary design of the Lotsane department, it is still considered Dam during NDP 7, DWA completed necessary for the Department of Water the detailed design of the Lotsane Affairs (DWA) to consider utilisation Dam in NDP 8. The dam has of treated wastewater effluent as a sufficient yield to supply several potential water resource in the process villages in the Tswapong Area, with of national planning. This view was the possibility of small-scale also emphasised by the first NWMP irrigation. The detailed design of study completed in 1992. Ntimbale Dam and the designs of Lower (Dikgatlhong 12.59 The first phase of the Water Dam) were also completed in NDP 8. Quality Management Project was Thesewillbefollowedby completed in NDP 8. This project construction in NDP 9. addressed two main components namely, improvement in the water 12.56 A feasibility/ preliminary quality monitoring functions of the design of a dam on the Thune River DWA and water conservation was carried out during NDP 8. The activities. study showed that the dam could yield sufficient water to supply several 12.60 As a follow up to the Water villages in the Area. The Quality Management Project, a water study also identified several patches of conservation and water demand land in the vicinity of the dam, which management project was also could be irrigated using water from the developed and commenced towards dam. the end NDP 8. This project is aimed at addressing issues of public 12.57 During the review period, awareness and education as well as DWA also carried out a study to improved availability of water-saving investigate the feasibility of several technologies, techniques and small to medium dams for possible measures. conjunctive use with ground water. The feasibility of the dams was 12.61 The results emanating from the determined using several criteria such Water Quality Project were the as geotechnical conditions, yield, successful piloting of the prepaid proximity to possible demand centres meter system in Tlokweng Village and and environmental implications. The retrofitting fixtures at Botswana Police study was completed during NDP 8 College. During NDP 9, it is planned with 12 sites identified for possible to phase out the old public standpipes future development. in all the 17 major villages and to replace them with the prepaid ones.

226 The picture below shows the prepaid 12.65 The aquifer vulnerability- meter installed at Tlokweng. mapping project, which started in NDP 7 with the help of the German Government, continued in NDP 8. The overall objective of the project is to establish an Environmental Geology Division within the Department of Geological Survey. However, the implementation of the project has faced severe manpower problems. The German Government has agreed to extend their technical cooperation into a second phase to facilitate successful implementation of the project. This project will continue into NDP 9. An installed prepaid meter system in operation. Data Collection and Management 12.62 In an effort to improve water quality monitoring and pollution 12.66 As water demands and water control over the whole country, pollution problems keep growing in construction of 3 additional water Botswana, both in terms of volume quality laboratories was planned in and complexity, the management of NDP 8. One out of the three planned water resources in Botswana is laboratories was completed in NDP 8 increasingly becoming a more because of budgetary constraints. The complex task, which needs more planned purchasing of some laboratory accurate water resources data and equipment did not take place because information. In response to the above of the postponed construction of the challenge, DWA continued with its other two regional labs. New hydrological data collection equipment will however need to be programme during NDP 8. The purchased during NDP 9 for the hydrological database (HYDATA) existing labs. continued to be the main archiving and data management system for surface 12.63 The DWA mobile laboratory water data. was decommissioned in NDP 8, following the successful transfer of 12.67 During NDP 8 three satellite drinking water quality monitoring in data collection platforms (DCP’s) rural villages to the District Councils. were installed under the SADC HYCOS program. They were fully 12.64 During NDP 8 the Botswana operational at the end of NDP 8, and Bureau of Standards (BOBS) provided very useful real time flow developed the national drinking water information. quality standards (BOS 32:2000), which were launched towards the end 12.68 The Groundwater Monitoring of NDP 8. These standards replace the Project to review the country’s old DWA drinking water quality monitoring network and procedures guidelines and are more stringent was successfully completed during compared to DWA' sold guidelines. NDP 8. The project recommended the use of data loggers instead of

227 mechanical recorders for monitoring Contracting Services purposes. As a follow-up to the Groundwater Monitoring Project, 12.71 In the area of water supply in Serowe and wellfields were major villages, DWA engaged small fully automated with data loggers in citizen contractors from time to time NDP 8 and other wellfields will be to carry out the construction of private covered during NDP 9. Other water connections in order to cope recommendations from the project with the increasing demand. This such as auditing of wellfields’ models arrangement proved to be effective will be done during NDP 9. andwillbeusedmoreinNDP9with the gradual phasing out of DWA’s Research and New construction crews in this area. Technologies 12.72 Faced with the problem of high 12.69 During NDP 8, a National mobility of IT staff and ever-changing Water Well Maintenance and IT specialist skills, the Water Utilities Rehabilitation Program was initiated. Corporation attempted to outsource its The main purpose of the project was internal Information Services Section to develop new borehole rehabilitation but could not succeed because of and cleaning methods, which could numerous legal and logistic prolong the lifespan of existing constraints. The Corporation still boreholes. Small-scale experiments intends to outsource these services with some encouraging results were including Telemetry Support Services completed in Ramonnedi and and other areas after addressing the Gaothobogwe Wellfields towards the constraints. end of NDP 8. This project will be implemented at a much larger scale National Water Master Plan during NDP 9. 12.73 The National Water Master 12.70 The investigation of the Plan continued to provide the basis for applicability of hydro fracturing to water development during NDP 8. increase borehole yields was Following the successful completion completed in NDP 8. The objective of of the and Phase 1 of the project was to investigate whether the North South Carrier (NSC), the yields of low yielding boreholes could next major resource to be developed be increased through sealing of should be the Lower Shashe Dam, and sections of a borehole and applying the second phase of the NSC (NSC II), high artificial water pressures in the to be in place by 2009. Detailed design sealed sections thereby increasing the of the Lower Shashe Dam and NSC II yields by creating fractures and were completed in NDP 8. cleaning existing ones. The results of the project were that yields could be 12.74 The review of the National increased by up to 50%. The project Water Master Plan commenced is now complete and the application of towards the end of NDP 8 and will be the technique will be promoted in low completed in the first half of NDP 9. yielding boreholes where water One of the major expected outcomes demands are not very high. of the review is a revised institutional framework for the water sector in Botswana, which can respond and

228 adequately deliver Vision 2016 goals Human Resources and aspirations on water. Development International Cooperation 12.78 Both the Department of Water Affairs and Water Utilities 12.75 During NDP 8, Botswana Corporation continued to experience continued to actively participate in problems associated with retention of trans-boundary water resources issues skilled manpower during NDP 8. This jointly with other SADC member worsened the manpower situation due states. A SADC Regional Strategic to the impact of HIV/AIDS and Action Plan comprising of 31 priority resignations by experienced projects was finalised during NDP 8 professionals mainly for better salaries and its implementation commenced. in the private sector. The lack of Botswana also signed and ratified the adequate manpower resources Revised Protocol on Shared Water particularly at professional level was Courses. The River Basins that one of the major constraints in project Botswana shares are the Limpopo, implementation. Okavango, Orange and Zambezi. In addition to the establishment of the 12.79 In 2002, MMEWR developed Okavango River Basin Commission a human resource development (OKACOM) in NDP 7, the Orange- strategy for all its departments starting Senqu River Commission with DWA. It is expected that these (ORASECOM) was established during strategies will assist the Ministry to NDP 8. At the time of preparation of address the prevailing human resource this plan, negotiations on the problems in a more holistic manner establishment of the Limpopo River during NDP 9. The strategies are also Basin Commission (LIMCOM) and expected to mitigate against the Zambezi River Basin Commission impact of HIV/AIDS in MMEWR, (ZAMCOM) were in progress. which in DWA was responsible for most of the 167 deaths recorded 12.76 Terms of reference for the between August 1997 and June 2002. Limpopo basin integrated water The Ministry’s policy on HIV/AIDS is development study were completed currently being developed, the work and approved by the Limpopo Basin place programmes are being enhanced Permanent Technical Committee to ensure that HIV/AIDS activities are (LBPTC) which is made up of the four mainstreamed into the routine co-basin states namely Botswana, functions of the Ministry. Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. 12.80 In the Water Utilities Corporation, the Corporation 12.77 Work also continued under the implemented the Hay job grading and Zambezi Action Plan (ZACPLAN). pay system at the beginning of NDP 8. The co-basin states for the Zambezi Whilst the system was generally are Angola, Botswana, Democratic objective, it did not completely Republic of Congo, Mozambique, address the problems identified, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and particularly with regard to the Zimbabwe. conversion from the old Patterson to the new Hay points system. It will be necessary to review this system in due course.

229 12.81 A survey by Tsa Badiri 12.84 The other important lesson Human Resources Management learnt was the need for a proactive Consultants showed that the approach in dealing with problems, Corporation’s remuner ation structure instead of waiting for the problems to was not competitive from middle develop into a crisis. One example is management to the top when the allocation of land without services, compared to other parastatals and the a problem that affected all water private sector. As a result, the authorities. The water authorities will Corporation was losing qualified and have to redouble their efforts and/or experienced personnel and could not find innovative ways to deal with this recruit and retain the same. The problem in NDP 9. Corporation undertook a salary review upgrade with the view to addressing WATER SECTOR POLICY FOR these problems and this was approved NDP 9 by the WUC Board and implemented at the beginning of 2001. 12.85 During the strategic planning process for the Ministry of Minerals, 12.82 Still in NDP 8, the Corporation Energy and Water Resources and the undertook a labour adjustment Department of Water Affairs, the exercise whose intention was to Ministry extensively consulted optimise the organisation structure by Batswana throughout the country. A realigning employees to their job view expressed by most customers in functions. As a result of technological the rural villages was that DWA advancement undertaken at the should take over the running of rural Corporation, some jobs became village water supply schemes from the redundant and the affected staff had District Council Water Units in order their contracts terminated and were to improve quality of service delivery. given exit packages. Regular This view has also been supported by consultation with the Union was some District Councils, who initiated maintained throughout the the handover of some of their schemes implementation of the labour to DWA towards the end of NDP 8 in adjustment exercise. order to improve service delivery and revenue collection. Lessons Learnt in NDP 8 12.86 The above clearly points to a 12.83 Many lessons were learnt different direction to the policy during NDP 8 the principal amongst direction articulated in NDP 8, that these was the realisation that DWA should gradually handover the improvements in management operation and maintenance of major capacity mainly in terms of skills and village water supply schemes to not numbers of people could District Councils. However, significantly improve implementation MMEWR does not believe that the of projects and achievement of solution to Batswana’s aspirations for planned results. Technical skills were a more reliable water service lies in fairly well developed; the main transferring rural village water supply problem and challenge lay in schemes to DWA. developing managerial and leadership skills. 12.87 A desk study carried out by MMEWR through a short consultancy looked mainly at the available

230 opportunities in improvement of the constraint to other sectors of the operation of the major villages water country’s economy. supply schemes and did not look in detail at the operations of the District 12.90 A number of villages supplied Councils and WUC. It will be from groundwater in NDP 7 were necessary for this study to be extended connected to the NSC in NDP 8. to cover the operations of all water These include Palapye, Mahalapye, supply authorities in early NDP 9. , Mochudi, and Ramotswa. Options which need to be investigated It will be important in NDP 9 to and modelled from a financial point of continue operating the wellfields, view include but not limited to the which supplied these villages and following; carry out extensive monitoring during pumping and improve estimations of (i). Placing all water distribution in the the sustainable yields of these aquifers country under WUC, to ensure that in case of need during (ii). Establishment of a number of drought years the country knows how regional water distribution much water it can take from these agencies or companies, wellfields and for how long. Because (iii). Grouping the 17 major villages of the scarcity of water in Botswana, and nearby smaller villages with the long-term strategy to meet the other big villages operated by the country’s water needs must be District Councils and establishing conjunctive use of both surface water an agency or company to run and groundwater and not the use of these, while the smaller and one or the other. isolated villages continue to be operated by District Councils, 12.91 Towards the end of NDP 8, (iv). Separating bulk water supply from MMEWR established an International water distribution and leaving Waters Unit (IWU). The Department everything else the same, of Water Affairs together with the (v). Doing nothing and continuing International Water Unit will intensify businessasusual. efforts in NDP 9 to ensure that Botswana plays a full part in 12.88 A new Water Act was negotiating and promoting expected to be finalised before the end international agreements related to of the NDP 8 period, but it is not yet water resources development and developed. This will therefore be usage at regional level, to provide a given top priority in NDP 9. buffer against localised drought and increased security of supply as 12.89 Water in Botswana is already a envisioned in Vision 2016. major constraint to development, e.g. irrigation is made unviable in certain 12.92 Parallel to the development of places not because of the soils but new sources of supply, water because of the unavailability of water. conservation and demand management Establishment of the national water will be given more prominence in resources inventory, both surface NDP 9. A Water Quality and water and groundwater, through Conservation Division was established resources investigations and in DWA towards the end of NDP 8 assessments will therefore continue to through a project co-funded by the be a focus for activity in NDP 9, to Botswana Government and Danish ensure that water does not become a Government. This division will be the

231 national focal point for all water awareness of HIV/AIDS scourge by conservation activities in the country. staff and hopefully reduce the negative Public education on water impact of the epidemic on the conservation, investigation and ministry’s business. A th orough introduction of technologies, which research on lessons learnt and action conserve water, will have high priority taken by other organisations in amongst its list of activities for NDP Botswana and internationally will be 9. DWA will also seek to develop conducted in addition to existing effective networks and partnerships programmes. An attempt will be with NGO’s, NCSA, Local Authorities made to encourage private companies and other key stakeholders in order to working with the ministry on various create a water efficient society in projects to sensitise their staff on Botswana. HIV/AIDS and ensure the availability of HIV/AIDS information and 12.93 The development of water condoms on site. resources in Botswana is a highly costly business. It is therefore prudent Planning and Institutional that those who can afford to pay for Development water in Botswana should continue to do so. This is necessary not only to 12.97 The National Water Master assist government in development of Plan will continue throughout NDP 9 future infrastructure and sustenance of to be the guiding plan for all large effective operation and maintenance of water development projects in the country’s water supply schemes, Botswana. The review of the plan will but also to ensure the development of be carried out in early NDP 9. Parallel a water conservation mindset in all to the review of the NWMP, a detailed Batswana. study looking at the operations of all the water supply authorities in 12.94 The policy of contracting out Botswana will also be conducted in some services to the private sector will early NDP 9 to develop alternatives of be maintained in NDP 9. In the area of the best arrangement for Botswana. design and construction of water supply schemes the intention is to 12.98 The possibility of establishing reduce in-house construction capacity the office of a Water Regulator to and increase in-house inspection of ensure that the interests of water projects carried out by contractors. consumers are well looked after, and that the cost of water charged to 12.95 Experience has shown that customers by the water supply hardly any work on assessment of the authorities reflects the true cost of effectiveness of the operation of these providing the service will also be schemes is done in between major investigated. The price of water has rehabilitation works. With assets an influence on the competitiveness of running into billions in terms of cost, the country’s products and services hardly any time is put on asset because it is a basic commodity. management and this situation will Efforts must therefore be made to need to be addressed in NDP 9. ensure that cost recovery includes very little costs of inefficiency. In a 12.96 MMEWR will strive to monopoly type of business, it is very identify an effective and sustainable easy to pass on the cost on programme to ensure complete

232 inefficiency to the customer, because regular basis to ensure that it remained the consumer has no other alternative. relevant in all areas.

Water Resources Investigation and 12.102 During NDP 9, water tariffs for Development major villages will increase annually for a period of six years, that is, up to 12.99 A total of eight groundwater 2006 at the following percentage rates: investigation projects are planned for completion in NDP 9. These projects • Consumers supplied from are concentrated mainly in the western Department of Water Affairs part of the country where the sources: 18% possibility of surface water sources is • Domestic, Commercial and non-existent. Industrial users in villages supplied through bulk supply from 12.100 Four surface water dam WUC: 27% construction projects have been • Government and Council planned for NDP 9. These dams will Institutions in WUC supplied include the , which villages: 72%. according to the NWMP will be required around 2009. The detailed These tariff increases are anticipated design of this dam commenced in to recover about 70% of the operating NDP 8 and will be finalized in early costs. NDP 9 followed by construction. The other three dams will be Lotsane, 12.103 WUC has adopted the Long Thune, and Ntimbale. The detailed Run Marginal Cost (LRMC) of supply design for Lotsane and Ntimbale of water as the basis for tariff Dams were completed in NDP 8, calculations. The adoption of this while that of will be done principle means that full cost recovery in NDP 9. for water supply will be achieved at all times. To take cognisance of the Water Tariffs social circumstances, a graduated tariff has been introduced and will be 12.101 MMEWR through the maintained. The lower tariff band Department of Water Affairs will caters for basic need at very affordable undertake a water affordability and prices, whilst those who consume tariff study over the whole country water for luxury purposes have to pay with a view of ensuring that those who a price exceeding the LRMC and can afford to pay for water in subsidise consumers with low water Botswana should do so and at the right demand. The on-going Francistown level of cost recovery. The study Water Supply Master Plan Review is should come up with a water tariff worked on the Long Run Average policy and model, which ensures that Cost (LRAC) principle. The LRAC the price that a customer pays for will however not change the stepped water is based on sound economic up tariff policy adopted by the analysis and not the name or label of Corporation. where one resides, e.g. urban centre vs. rural village. This study should be commenced and completed in early NDP 9, and thereafter updated on

233 Data Collection and Management Water Quality, Protection and 12.104 A major groundwater- Conservation monitoring network upgrading project is now planned for completion in NDP 9. This project will ensure improvement in reliability of groundwater monitoring data. DGS will also continue with groundwater monitoring as agreed between itself and DWA. A nation wide hydrogeological monitoring and archiving development project in the exploration wellfields will be carried out during NDP 9 to improve the department’s methods of data Extensive and prolific oil pollution collection and quality control. in one of the Industrial sites in the country Information Technology 12.107 The alarming rate, at which 12.105 With globalisation increasingly water resources are being depleted, becoming a reality, easy access to and the risk of water pollution from basic information on a country such as various industrial developments and water availability, can have a individual households, added to the significant impact on a country’s increasing demand for water, indicates international competitiveness. the crucial need to protect and MMEWR as the government agency conserve it. Introduction of responsible for overall policy in the enforceable policies and tight control water sector and national water systems are also crucial for efficient resources planning will introduce new water management practices. During information systems and enhance the NDP 9, several projects to be carried existing ones in order to make out to address this problem are information on water, minerals and indicated in the Thumb Nail Sketches. energy easily accessible. Contracting Services 12.106 Several projects planned for implementation during NDP 9 are 12.108 During NDP 9, DWA will indicated in the Thumb Nail Sketches. review borehole cleaning and fishing services provided to customers with an intention of phasing it out and allowing the private sector to venture in. This privatisation drive will create employment and increase productivity in the service rendered. The siting section will also be scaled down to remain with one crew for the same reasons stated above.

234 Land Areas Water Supply Productivity Improvement

12.109 The portfolio responsibility for 12.112 At the time of preparation of water supply to the lands areas will be this plan it was envisaged that by the determined as part of the proposed beginning of NDP 9, all MMEWR study to develop options for the best departments would have annual water supply arrangement in performance plans in place. These Botswana. This issue remained plans would outline the activities the unresolved in NDP 8, and will be ministry is going to do in each year tackled again during NDP 9, so that and would be linked to specific and the goal of making water accessible to quantifiable results through charts all Batswana is achieved by 2016. indicating progress achieved in each priority result area from one year to Implementation Capacity the next.

12.110 Considering the constraints on 12.113 Regular performance reviews posts in government at a senior level, a will be conducted in MMEWR both at possible solution is to employ project Ministry and departmental level to managers or supervisors with the right determine whether progress is being level of experience on contract for a made towards the achievement of the specified period of time. ministry’s goals. WITS, which are a major component of PMS will also Irrigation and Water Development continue to be a major driving force behind the development of a 12.111 A project aimed at developing continuous improvement culture in the infrastructure to supply bulk water to ministry. It is intended that by the farmers from decommissioned well middle of NDP 9, the Performance fields such as Ramotswa and Palapye Management System must be fully will be commenced in early NDP 9. functional in MMEWR and cover all This project will be carried out using business areas of the ministry. DWA’s in -house capacity.

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