Rundu’s water demand continues to outpace supply

Rundu is grappling with a structural water crisis, with demand far exceeding bulk supply. The dire shortfall lies at the heart of the town’s persistent shortages, officials say.

Speaking to Namibian Sun, town council CEO Olavi Nathanael said the town currently receives a bulk water supply of approximately 840 cubic metres per hour, while consumption has surged to more than 1 400 cubic metres per hour.

“Currently, the water storage that we are experiencing is because of the supply,” Nathanael said. "So there is already a shortage in bulk supply.”

“Demand and supply are not matching. That is why some people do not have access to water in real time.”

The deficit is worsened by significant losses downstream, he said.

“You must also talk about the 7 to 10% of water lost through evaporation and operational flow. That already subtracts from the 840 cubic metres supplied.”

Council records show that between 37 and 42% of water is classified as non-revenue water, lost through illegal connections, leakages, evaporation and other unaccounted-for factors.

In the pipeline

A multi-million-dollar NamWater treatment plant extension, now 79% complete and expected to be commissioned in August this year, is projected to increase production capacity.

However, Nathanael cautioned that the upgrade may not be a long-term solution.

“NamWater says this plant is projected to serve until 2037,” he said. “Given the growth of the town, that is only about 11 years from now.”

Nathanael added that Rundu’s expanding population and responsibility to supply surrounding areas could further shorten the plant’s effective lifespan.

“Not only are we growing as a town, but we are also supplying other areas,” he said. “So this will reduce the lifespan of the plant.”

Boosting supply

In the meantime, the Rundu Town Council has drilled 21 boreholes to supplement supply.

“We have also awarded a bid for a company to construct the necessary infrastructure so that we can relieve the burden on the utility supplier," Nathanael added.

He confirmed that the borehole water has been tested and deemed safe for consumption. "Everything is fine. It is consumable,” he said. “Now we just need to put it into the tower and let it flow.”

The council plans to manage network pressure by isolating certain supply zones.

“If we can close one valve leading towards the boreholes, it will ease the pressure from the main pipes and sustainably supply other areas,” Nathanael explained. “That is based on the forensic study we have done.”

Slow drip

In a statement, NamWater has cautioned that water shortages may persist if the town council does not urgently fix its distribution issues.

“These downstream works should be attended to by [town council] as a matter of urgency to ensure optimal water supply system performance,” the utility said, stressing that only then will residents fully benefit from the upgraded plant.

Despite these interventions, Nathanael acknowledged that Rundu’s water shortages are structural.

“Demand, supply and natural losses: Until those are addressed properly, some residents will continue to feel the impact,” he said.