North West Province faces serious water shortages

The entire North West province is facing a serious water shortage. Many areas across the province regularly dry up, forcing authorities to provide emergency water tanks. This problem is ascribed to the depletion of water tables, which are highly dependant on rains to recharge underground water.

Affected areas in the province where water has been highly scarce, include most villages in Taung, Lehurutshe, Tigane township, Klipgat in the east and some parts of Ganyesa.

Setlagole village, in the Ratlou Municipality outside Mafikeng is one of the hardest hit areas in the province. Here people are doing everything possible to gain access to the most precious commodity.

For many years, people in this area have struggled to get clean running water. Domestic animals also have to share this scarce commodity with villagers.

Although 86% of the North West residents have access to piped water, they regularly run short of water for long periods.

Thirty percent of residents in the province have no access to water at all.
The Department of water Affairs and Forestry believes the problem is fuelled by low rainfall and the current drought.

Cedwick Lebakeng, the director of water affairs and forestry in the North West said: "This is common throughout the country particularly in areas that are depended on ground water, this is where you will experience the same problem particularly of underground water."

The province is currently considering a few solutions, which include erecting reservoirs across the province.