Half of Namibia’s water lost before it reaches taps

Namibia's central coast requires more than twice the amount of water its groundwater sources can supply, while more than half the water entering the country's supply systems is lost before reaching consumers.This was revealed at the 3rd Namibia Regional Water Symposium in Swakopmund on Tuesday.NamWater's coastal business unit head, Adelino Batista, said demand from mines, industries and towns had reached approximately 29 million cubic metres annually, against a combined permitted abstraction limit of 14 million cubic metres from the Omdel and Kuiseb aquifers."Our groundwater from the Omdel, as well as the Kuiseb aquifers, is at a permitted limit of about 14 million cubic metres a year, while the demand is about 29,” Batista said.Speaking on behalf of NamWater, Batista said desalinated seawater currently makes up the shortfall, with the Orano desalination plant producing a record 18 million cubic metres in the previous financial year.NamWater's coastal business unit sold 28.4 million cubic metres of treated water during the period, most of it to mines. Demand increased by 10% and 6% over two successive years.Major leaks Meanwhile, agriculture and water minister Inge Zaamwani warned that Namibia was losing nearly half of its water through supply systems despite being a water-stressed country.“It is not fair that we are already a water-stressed country, and more than 50% of our water is lost in the process of supply,” she said.Zaamwani attributed the losses to ageing infrastructure and evaporation from canals.Global Water Partnership Organisation chief executive Alex Simalabwi said in July that NamWater's losses were between 10% and 15%, while some municipalities lost up to 60% of treated water through their distribution networks.Zaamwani urged Erongo's local authorities and industries to reduce losses, improve metering and protect groundwater resources.Desalination and revenue pressureBatista said the N$2.1 billion Erongo Sunam desalination project, jointly owned by NamWater and Swakop Uranium, was targeting operations by mid-2028, with its design at an advanced stage.Swakop Uranium holds 70% of the venture and NamWater 30%. The proposed plant is designed to produce approximately 20 million cubic metres annually, with Swakop Uranium expected to consume at least half.Batista said surplus production could potentially supply north-eastern Erongo, including the Dâures constituency, although expansion would depend on commitments from mining companies, industry and government.He also raised concerns about NamWater's financial position, saying bulk water tariffs had remained unchanged since 2019, while production costs continue to rise, limiting reinvestments.NamWater recorded a N$128.29 million loss on revenue of N$2.216 billion during the 2024/25 financial year.The utility is also replacing sections of the Omdel and Swakopmund pipelines at approximately N$170 million, with completion expected in the next financial year.Dry water wellsMeanwhile, the ministry's executive director for water and marine resources, Teofilus Nghitila, acknowledged that limited resources prevented government from responding promptly to every rural community experiencing water shortages.He said August to December was particularly difficult, with frequent reports of dried-up boreholes, damaged pipelines and residents travelling long distances to obtain water.“It’s only because of the limited resources, we are unable to reach everybody on time. But efforts are there," he said.Zaamwani said the 2023 national census showed that 91.4% of households had access to safe drinking water, leaving 8.6% without access.“As long as one Namibian has no access to water, 91% doesn’t mean anything,” she said.During the previous financial year, the ministry drilled 94 boreholes, rehabilitated 51 boreholes and 137 water supply points, and constructed 55 short pipelines.However, equipment theft and inadequate maintenance continued to undermine rural water supply.Sanitation remained another concern, with access to basic sanitation below 40% and open defecation at 39.4%.“We cannot claim to have achieved SDG 6 on the strength of drinking water coverage alone,” Zaamwani said.The ministry is implementing the N$3.3 billion Namibia Water Sector Support Programme, financed through approximately N$1.9 billion in African Development Bank loans, a N$50.4 million grant and a N$1.3 billion government contribution.

Half of Namibia’s water lost before it reaches taps

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-12

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Half of Namibia’s water lost before it reaches taps

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-12

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