Chinese Project Brings Clean Water to Homes in Botswana

A water treatment plant constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Botswana in Boteti, Botswana, Dec. 16, 2024. Photo: Xinhua

December 23, 2024 Hour: 9:06 am

Since September, the project has been delivering 4,000 cubic meters of potable and benefiting 30,000 residents.

Chinese business activity is contributing to improving the daily lives of residents in Mokobaxane village, located in the Boteti region, where access to potable water had remained an unfulfilled aspiration for decades.

Situated in northern Botswana, Boteti is more than 100 kilometers south of the Makgadikgadi salt pans and adjacent to the Orapa diamond mine. In this region, groundwater is excessively saline and has an unpleasant odor that poses health risks.

Due to the vastness of the region and the scattered distribution of its inhabitants, a potable water supply project had not been prioritized until recent years, as it required significant investment. However, this situation has now changed.

On February 13, 2023, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Botswana launched a potable water provision project. This involved constructing water supply infrastructure, support facilities, 184 kilometers of water pipelines, four booster pump stations, ten elevated water tanks, three concrete reservoirs, and the design and construction of a water treatment plant.

Additionally, the project included the construction of two administrative office buildings, ten staff apartments, and support facilities to house electrical systems, machinery, and remote sensing equipment.

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Since September 2024, the water supply project has officially been delivering 4,000 cubic meters of potable water daily to Mokobaxane and seven other villages, benefiting approximately 30,000 residents.

“The Chinese construction company has brought us an incredible project. The water is now excellent, and life has become much more comfortable. Everyone in the village is very grateful,” said Bomgere Jane, Chairperson of the Mokobaxane Village Development Committee.

The project’s initiation and completion have also indirectly promoted local economic and social development. At its peak, the project employed 600 local workers, helping to train many technical professionals and boosting local employment. Furthermore, the demand for construction materials, housing rentals for workers, and catering services has stimulated the local economy.

“The arrival of the Chinese company has not only improved the water supply in our region but also significantly increased our income levels,” said Montgomery Peter, a driver for the project who earns about US$390 per month.