HUKUNTSI - An acute water shortage has hit Hukuntsi and the surrounding villages of Lehututu, Lokgwabe, Tshane and Kang because of boreholes breakdowns, collapses and contamination.

Addressing the Hukuntsi Sub District Development Committee (DDC) recently, the water engineer in the sub district, Mr Kgomotso Serame said the water shortage due to breakdowns has been exacerbated by the contamination of the Lokgwabe boreholes.

He said they have decided to chlorinate the water as a short term measure while looking for other reliable sources.

Mr Serame said they are working around the clock to address the crisis.

We are well aware of the water shortage in the area and we are doing all we can to bowse water to affected communities even though we do not have enough water carrying vehicles in the area, he said. He added that they have approached the water affairs and the geological survey departments to help with the cleaning of Lehututu boreholes.

The water shortage in the area has also affected some development projects such as the Hukuntsi internal roads and the Hukuntsi-Kang road construction as well as some building projects.

Hukuntsi Primary Hospital is also adversely affected and has suspended some of its operations.

For their part, Hukuntsi DDC membership, which comprises of government heads of department, complained of what they called poor service by the Department of Water Affairs officials.

They said they have not been able to pay their water bills since the beginning of the year because they have not received them.

According to Hukuntsi VDC chairperson, Ms Gomotsang Jane, they last received their water bills in December last year.

It is very difficult for us to keep up with the bills because they always include outstanding charges for the past months, adding that what makes the situation even worse is the fact that the water department gives us a short notice to settle those bills, and if one fails to pay that huge bill within the stipulated period, the water department just disconnect you without any consultation, she said. She said they have been told that there are not enough meter readers in the area.BOPA