Constructed over 15 years ago, the North-South Carrier phase 1 (NSC 1) was the first step towards addressing water shortage along the eastern parts of Botswana. The 360 kilometre pipeline was built to transfer water from Letsibogo Dam near Mmadinare to augment supply in the greater Gaborone area, which was getting thirsty.

Its importance cannot be over- emphasised, as the south of the country has grappled with water challenges for well over a decade after rainfall decline caused poor water supply from Gaborone Dam.The dam has been the main source of surface water for the capital city for many years.

Since its commissioning in 2000 NSC 1 has, however, experienced frequent water spillage caused by pipe bursts.

Recently, these pipe bursts have resulted in interruptions to water transfer, causing parts of the greater Gaborone area to be dry for days.

Some of the areas that have been badly affected by interruptions of water supply include Gaborone, Mogoditshane, Gabane, Tlokweng, Mmopane and Kopong.

Through the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR), government has however been working hard to eradicate those pipe bursts and ensure that there are no more water supply interruptions.

Interviewed recently, MMEWR Minister, Kitso Mokaila, explains that the ministry has been working on a multi-million Pula project to replace GRP pipes (synthetic) with steel pipes on a problematic section of NSC 1 which has been experiencing frequent pipe bursts.

The 26-kilometre section between Moralane pump station and Palapye in the Central District, Mokaila says has been the most troublesome part of the NSC 1 and has affected smooth transfer of water to the south of the country.

After touring the project in September, the minister expressed happiness at workmanship done by the two companies doing the project, Tripple C and WBHO.

“I am satisfied by the progress, the project is almost complete. We are replacing GRP pipes between Moralane and Palapye with steel pipes,” he says.

The project’s resident engineer, Ephraim Kelaeng says the project commenced in February and putting steel pipes was finished in September, two months ahead of schedule.

“The replacement of pipes has been completed. They are now putting fittings in place and there will be some testing period before the end of this year before we can switch back to the NSC 1,” Kelaeng

says. He says he expected commissioning to be done early next year, after which the pipeline will operate efficiently.

The steel pipes, he says unlike GRP ones, will not need to be replaced moving forward.

“This area was a weak link in the pipeline. Every time there was a pipe burst, it was in this stretch between Moralane and Palapye,” he says.

With this problematic area having been dealt with, Minister Mokaila remains confident that government has made great strides towards resolving the water supply issue around the greater Gaborone area.

With an efficient NSC 1 operating next year, residents of Gaborone, Tlokweng, Kopong, Gabane, Mogoditshane, and Mmopane should expect sufficiently improved water supply in their areas. Ends