Windhoek enforces new water saving rules

Following the declaration of a category D severe water scarcity drought by the Council on 31 July 2024, and in line with the City of Windhoek’s water management plan, new water-saving measures will be implemented starting 1 September 2024. City spokesperson, Lydia Amutenya, has more.

Earlier this week, the municipality announced that between 19 and 26 August 2024, it managed to reduce water consumption by 6% which still falls short of the overall goal of a 15% reduction.

CoW is meanwhile implementing penalty rates under Category D for domestic consumers as part of its water conservation efforts during the ongoing drought. These penalties are targeted at postpaid domestic consumers who exceed certain water usage thresholds, and they are effective immediately.

To help residents understand how these penalty rates will affect their water bills, the City has provided a simplified guide based on the four-block tariff system. The tariffs are derived from the approved rates for the 2023/24 financial year, with the possibility of annual adjustments.

For residents consuming between 0 to 6 cubic meters (m³) of water per month, the calculation is straightforward: 6m³ multiplied by N$24.41 results in a total charge of N$146.46. For those consuming between 6 to 25m³, the first 6m³ are charged at N$24.41 per m³, with the next 19m³ charged at N$37.83 per m³, leading to a total of N$865.23. If consumption reaches between 25 to 30m³, the first 6m³ are again charged at N$24.41 per m³, the next 19m³ at N$37.83 per m³, and an additional 5m³ at N$75.67 per m³, resulting in a total of N$1,390.04. For any consumption above 30m³ per month, the calculation includes the first 6m³ at N$24.41 per m³, the next 19m³ at N$37.83 per m³, an additional 5m³ at N$75.67 per m³, and all usage above 30m³ at N$151.32 per m³.

The City of Windhoek said that it does not add any markup to the first 6 cubic meters of water consumed, charging residents the same rate it pays to NamWater—N$24.41 per cubic meter.