• Maun business community feels the pinch of water shortages

The business community in Maun has been badly affected by water shortages in the area which has been going on for months.  

DISAPOINTED: Mothobi Mothobi (R) UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: Omogae Mpho

In separate interviews business officials from various companies spoke of how they were finding it difficult to operate with minimal water while some said they are losing revenue as they have been forced to operate below their normal capacity.

Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) is one of the most affected companies as they use a lot of water during production.

BMC branch Manager Mothobi Mothobi said the erratic water supply was not even  only enough for them even though they are currently operating below normal.
“We are going to have serious problems when we go back to full production but we hope our little water plant will help alleviate the situation as we cannot rely on the department of water affairs,’’ he said.
Another business entity which is feeling the water shortage effects is African Dreams Hair Salon located in the New Mall as the manager Lumby Oitsile  said their revenue has gone down since the problem started.
“We used to make P2 500 per day but now the figures have dropped to P600 and we are likely to cut our staff.

Sometimes we are forced to close before normal time because there will be many customers but with less water,’’ she said.
Andrew Mantel of Blue Air said although they are not  losing out on business they are forced to spend more on water as they have to buy 2 500litres for P250 which only last a week.
“We have put a tank that we fill but they supply us with non -purified water which we cannot drink,” he said.
Public Relations Officer for Civil Aviation Authority of Botswana Modipe Nkwe also stated that they have been affected because their ablution block was not working and have been forced to put a tank to help the situation.
He said that are currently working on a permanent solution as it appears the solution to the problem is far from being found.
However Water Affairs Maun Station Manager, Omogae Mpho said that they are working around the clock to bring the situation back to normal. He said that they have put eight bowsers in place to supply where there is major shortage.
“We supply areas like Letsholathebe hospital, airport and Matshwane,” he said.
On what could be the cause, Mpho said that most of their engines are always down because they are old or need to be serviced adding that.
He  said  that they also lost five boreholes due to floods last  season but have engaged  contractors to submit their proposals to build new plants which will cost in the range of P50 to P80 million.

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