Hope for Elisenheim residents

A buffer tank is expected to be erected next to the Ujams Wastewater Treatment Plant near the Elisenheim estate north of Windhoek as a solution to the unpleasant odours that have been troubling residents in recent months.According to a letter sent to residents this week by Elisenheim’s management, a meeting was held with officials from the environment ministry, the City of Windhoek and the Ujams facility."As part of their long-term solution and to avoid a repeat of what happened recently, Ujams started to erect a buffer tank next to the plant. Their idea for this tank is to increase the storage capacity for extra inflow volume received when the plant is operating at full capacity. This in turn will create the opportunity for extra inflow that is stored and gradually fed into plant production and prevent the use of the Klein Windhoek River," the letter reads, which adds that the buffer tank is still in the construction phase.The environment ministry will reportedly closely monitor the construction of the tank.Petition by unhappy residentsThis follows a petition that was circulated about two months ago and signed by numerous residents of Elisenheim. The main issue raised was the odour caused by alleged sewer dumping and the fact that this “partially treated” sewage was being discharged into the Klein Windhoek River."Join us in demanding immediate action to stop Ujams Sewage Works from dumping raw sewage into our river. Sign this petition to protect our health, preserve our environment, and restore the quality of life in Elisenheim!" the petition stated.Exceeding capacityCity spokesperson Lydia Amuntenya responded to enquiries at the time, explaining that the facility sometimes receives volumes of sewage that exceed its design capacity. The sewage water is then discharged into the river and is reportedly not fully treated. It is said to be only processed through fine screening and gravel removal, and this partially treated water is then mixed with fully treated water and discharged into the river.This publication has seen an email from Thomas Honer, the general manager of Ujams Wastewater Treatment Company (UWTC), sent to the municipality on 24 May this year. In it, he explains that the municipality decided during the design phase of the facility to build a "dry-weather buffer tank rather than a wet-weather buffer tank with greater buffer capacity." The decision was reportedly made to save costs.

Hope for Elisenheim residents

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Hope for Elisenheim residents

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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