Thousands of households, businesses, government institutions and local authorities across the country face imminent water disconnections after the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) announced a nationwide crackdown on customers with outstanding water bills, warning that services will be terminated without further notice.
WUC says mounting unpaid water bills have reached alarming levels, threatening its financial sustainability and ability to provide uninterrupted water and wastewater services across Botswana.
According to WUC, revenue collected from customers is critical for the operation and maintenance of the country’s water infrastructure, including the purchase of treatment chemicals, payment for electricity used in pumping water, procurement of essential materials and the remuneration of employees.
In a media release issued this week, the Corporation expressed concern over the growing debt owed by domestic consumers, businesses, local authorities and government institutions, saying the increasing arrears are placing significant financial pressure on the utility.
According to WUC, revenue collected from customers is critical for the operation and maintenance of the country’s water infrastructure, including the purchase of treatment chemicals, payment for electricity used in pumping water, procurement of essential materials and the remuneration of employees.
“The prolonged non-payment of water bills has negatively affected the Corporation’s cash flow and its ability to maintain ageing infrastructure and guarantee uninterrupted service delivery,” the Corporation said.
The utility reminded customers that water supply agreements require bills to be settled within 30 days of issuance, warning that failure to comply could result in service disruption.
In what signals a tougher debt recovery campaign, WUC announced that it will immediately disconnect all accounts with outstanding debt without further notice.
“The Corporation will henceforth disconnect all accounts with outstanding debt without further notice, and the inconvenience caused by the measure is highly regretted,” the statement reads.
The move is expected to affect thousands of customers who have fallen behind on their payments, although WUC did not disclose the total value of outstanding debt or the number of accounts likely to be disconnected.
The Corporation appealed to customers to regard water as an essential service and prioritise payment of water bills in their household and business budgets.
Customers have been encouraged to check outstanding balances and settle their accounts through WUC’s digital platforms, including the WUC mobile application, the Corporation’s website, WUC E-Sizze kiosks where available, or through partner banks.
It is understood that the latest debt recovery drive comes as WUC seeks to improve cash flow and secure the resources needed to maintain Botswana’s ageing water infrastructure while ensuring reliable water and wastewater services nationwide.
