Residents of the Okavango district are grappling with a worsening water crisis as supply fails to meet demand, disrupting livelihoods and essential services across several villages.
According to a recent Okavango District Development Committee (DDC) report, only 494,860 cubic metres of water were supplied during the third quarter against a demand of 561,600 cubic metres. This 12% shortfall is being fueled by a “perfect storm” of ageing infrastructure, pipeline vandalism, inadequate storage, and outdated treatment plants.
Authorities report an indication of infrastructure that is under strain. The Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) reported a staggering 44% water loss this quarter, caused by leaking tanks and frequent pipe bursts—particularly along the Sepopa-Gumare transmission line.
The crisis has hit villages like Qangwa, Chukumuchu, and Nxau-Nxau the hardest, where local reservoirs can no longer keep pace with growing populations. Currently, access to potable water stands at just 64%, with roughly 7,000 connections serving a population of over 74,000. New connections are also lagging; only 88 of 104 recent applicants were connected within the required 21-day window, a delay WUC attributes to transport and material shortages.
To mitigate the immediate thirst, authorities have resorted to water bowsing (trucking) in Ghani, Habu, Gucha, Xanxana, Xurube, and Mowana.
The crisis has taken a psychological and physical toll. During a full council session, Xhaoga-Kajaja Councilor Galebolae Motshabakhawa highlighted a growing sense of inequality, noting that Kajaja 2 residents receive significantly less water than those in Kajaja 1.
“The bowser simply passes the village even when there is a shortage, forcing residents to walk to Kajaja 1,” Motshabakhawa said. He warned that this journey is life-threatening. “Doing so is very dangerous as there are many wild animals roaming between those areas. I plead with the Corporation to assist these residents accordingly.”
Similarly, Councilor Uakaemba Tjiponda of Nxau Nxau-Chukumuchu lamented that the small tanks in his constituency are insufficient. He urged the WUC to find new water sources, noting that with financial constraints biting, residents fear the crisis will persist without urgent long-term investment.
In response, the WUC announced plans to refurbish treatment plants in Sepopa, Seronga, and Mohembo West. The corporation also intends to renew old networks in phases and has engaged the Botswana Police and Botswana Defence Force (BDF) to patrol pipelines and deter vandals.
