City blames illegal connections for Groot Aub water woes

Windhoek officials have warned that illegal water connections are causing challenges in the Groot Aub community.City engineer Jacobus Jacobs made these remarks following an outreach visit by various municipal departments to Groot Aub last Wednesday.Jacobs said illegal connections disrupt the system and make it difficult to supply water to the rest of the area, particularly those living in low-lying areas.“Another issue is that the Groot Aub water supply system was initially designed for a small population of approximately 5 000 people," Jacobs acknowledged.During the visit, municipal officials outlined a project to replace old pipes with new, larger ones – approximately 300 mm in diameter – to better manage water pressure and improve distribution.Jacobs said the area’s population has grown significantly in recent years, now standing at around 15 000, which has led to lower water pressure and difficulty in supplying the entire community.In conversationThe outreach visit aimed to raise awareness and share information about municipal services and ongoing programmes.According to the City, the initiative forms part of a broader public engagement strategy to educate residents on key urban issues, and enhance understanding of municipal operations.The information-sharing sessions also covered topics such as solid waste management, the Farm Okukuna initiative, social welfare upliftment programmes, services provided by the City Police, and general municipal dos and don’ts. Residents engaged City officials at the stand, asked questions, and received assistance. Some raised additional concerns, including noise pollution, the acquisition of erven, bars operating beyond permitted hours, and persistent sewage problems.The information-sharing sessions also addressed topics such as solid waste management, the Farm Okukuna initiative, social welfare programmes, services provided by the City Police and general municipal guidelines.Some residents raised additional concerns, including noise pollution, land acquisition, bars operating beyond permitted hours and ongoing sewage issues.Long-standing concerns In March, City of Windhoek councillor Ivan Skrywer, who chairs the council’s advisory committee on the formalisation of informal settlements and the integration of Groot Aub, said most residents in the had struggled with unreliable water supply throughout December and January.At the time, he said an inspection revealed that illegal water connections were the main cause of the shortage.“When someone tampers with the main bulk water supply, it reduces water pressure, and this disruption extends to the illegal connections, ultimately resulting in a shortage for the broader community," he explained. Skrywer said immediate action was taken to disconnect the illegal connections, which prompted those affected to come forward.As a short-term remedy, the City is installing water tanks in areas where residents were affected by the disconnections. "It’s important to remember that these disconnections were necessary because the connections were illegal” he added.Skrywer also warned of profound public health implications.“The bulk water supply is designed to transport water to treatment centres before it reaches households. When someone makes an illegal connection, they are accessing untreated water, which is dangerous to consume."nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

City blames illegal connections for Groot Aub water woes

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-08

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City blames illegal connections for Groot Aub water woes

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-08

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