Maputo, Matola and Boane: Low rainfall threatens water supply – Noticias

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Maputo, Matola and Boane: Low rainfall threatens water supply – Noticias

1:33 CAT | 05 Sep 2016

Noticias

Water supply to the cities of Maputo, Matola and parts of Boane district in Maputo province may be restricted if rainfall levels do not normalise between now and December this year, Maputo Water’s Gildo Timoteo, Director of Production and Enterprise Support told reporters during a visit to the Umbeluzi Water Treatment Plant on Friday.

There is currently however no cause for alarm because the water in these three areas remains satisfactory, despite the reduced flow of the Umbeluzi river and the Pequenos Lebombos dam being only 29 percent full, well below normal for the time of year.

According to Timoteo, the next rainy season can restore normal water levels in Peqeunos Lebombos, the main water supply for Maputo and surrounds, although the continuous growth in the urban environment does exert pressure on water supply. Gildo Timoteo however says that the number of customers has fallen despite an increase in the number of new connections.

“We made about 40,000 new connections In 2011. The number dropped to 30,000 in 2012. The phenomenon has been associated with the reduction of hours of water supply due to the increasing water demand by consumers,” he said.

To reverse the scenario, the Águas da Região de Maputo (AdM), Maputo Regional Water Company, plans to invest in new sources of water supply, like the Corrumana dam in Moamba district.

Power restrictions remain a major obstacle to the normal functioning of the Umbeluzi treatment plant. Monthly energy consumption this season is nearly 9 million meticais, and the possibility of using renewable energy, such as solar panels, may represent additional costs.

The Water Supply Investment and Asset Fund (FIPAG), representing the state in the company, has established permanent contacts with the Mozambique Electricity EDM to look for alternatives to avoid interruptions in the supply of water to households.

Timoteo says the Umbeluzi Water Treatment Plant in Boane has a dedicated power supply which guarantees the supply of water. However, the company is considering the adoption of alternative energy for substations to strengthen its capacity.

Source: Notícias