NamWater to carry out essential maintenance, trial rationing

NamWater has notified residents and key institutions across the northern regions of planned maintenance activities and temporary water supply shutdowns scheduled over the next week.In three separate public notices issued last Thursday, NamWater said technical teams will carry out essential maintenance at the Oshakati Water Treatment Plant from 30 to 31 October.NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the activity was aimed at enhancing water quality and improving production efficiency.Water production was expected to be reduced, possibly causing low pressure or intermittent supply interruptions in Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Oniipa, Omuthiya, Helao Nafidi and surrounding areas.“The exercise is crucial for ensuring long-term system reliability and cannot be postponed, despite existing water supply challenges in the region. Consumers have been urged to store enough water and use it sparingly during the maintenance period,” the spokesperson said.Additionally, a planned shutdown of the South East Feeder Pipeline is set for this Wednesday, from 09:00 to 16:00.This shutdown, Ndamanomhata said, is required to connect new pipelines to the existing NamWater system at Ondangwa and the Oshaluti reservoir as part of the Ondangwa-Omutsegonime pipeline project.He said the interruption is expected to impact Ondangwa, Oniipa, Olukonda, Onmuntele, Onayena, Okankolo, Omuthiya, Eengodi and other areas supplied through the affected pipeline. Hospitals, schools, clinics and police stations experiencing urgent water needs are encouraged to contact NamWater representatives for support.Rationing trialFurther along, Ndamanomhata said water rationing will be implemented in the Oshikoto region.The current water demand in the area continues to exceed the available bulk water supply capacity. To address this challenge and to ensure fair and equitable distribution of the limited water resources, NamWater will implement a trial 24-hour concentrated pumping arrangement.“During this trial, water will be pumped continuously for 24 hours into one main pipeline at a time from the Omuthiya pipeline system, while rationing will be applied to the other lines. This approach is aimed at stabilising supply pressure and improving water flow to consumers at the end points of each line during this critical time,” Ndamanomhata explained.Rationing on the Akazulu line will run from 5 November at 9:00 until 6 November at 9:00.The Ambende line will be impacted on 6 November from 9:00 until 7 November at 9:00. The Omutsegonime pipeline rationing will take place from 7 November at 9:00 until 8 November at 9:00. Omuthiya town will have a continuous supply.Ndamanomhata said consumers are urged to store sufficient water in advance and to use water sparingly during this period.“This is a temporary measure as NamWater tries to monitor trends of the water demand while working toward a long-term solution,” he noted.

NamWater to carry out essential maintenance, trial rationing

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-05

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NamWater to carry out essential maintenance, trial rationing

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Namibian Sun 2026-08-05

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