Revamping of water system causes water scarcity in northern Namibia

NamWater Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abraham Nehemia said the water scarcity in Northern Namibia has been caused by the revamping of the water system from Calueque to the Oshakati canal, the treatment plants and the pipelines.

Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, Nehemia said the water systems in place from Calueque to Omuthiya were built in the 1970s and 1980s and the systems are now insufficient for the increased population.

“NamWater will build larger systems than the demand for the next 30 to 40 years. The demand is definitely higher than the supply. So, therefore, NamWater is rationing to make sure that everybody gets water,” he said.

Water is transported in raw form from Calueque to Oshakati for treatment. After treatment, it is sent to Ondangwa and from Ondangwa to Omuthiya, from where it is distributed to other areas. He however said it will take some time to reach further villages in the Oshikoto Region, which has been without water for about a month.

The CEO further said: “NamWater’s problem has been resolved, as the raw water from rivers to Oshakati has been totally recovered, and the water in Oshakati is now ready for treatment.”

All reservoirs are currently above 50 per cent capacity, including those at Oshali in the Ohangwena Region, Okatope in the Oshikoto Region, and Omuthya, the capital of the Oshikoto, he said.

Once totally revamped everybody will have water for 24 hours, Nehemia said.

(NAMPA)
NJ/EK/AS
(NAMPA)