Seasonal extraction will protect Kavango River – NamWater

NamWater says water will only be extracted from the Kavango River during the wet season under the proposed Kavango Link Project, insisting the approach will safeguard the river's long-term sustainability amid mounting opposition over the project's environmental impact.

The assurance comes after traditional leaders and community representatives in Kavango East and Kavango West last week rejected consultation presentations on the project's environmental and social impact assessment and environmental and social management plan, citing concerns over the potential impact on livelihoods, ecosystems and the future health of the river.

Responding to the concerns, NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said water abstraction would be restricted to periods of high river flow to minimise environmental stress.

"Abstraction will not be continuous throughout the year since it is only planned for the wet season to ensure river sustainability and limit environmental stress," Ndamanomhata said.

He said preliminary investigations indicate the planned abstraction would have no material impact on the river's natural flow regime, while operational rules would be incorporated into the design and management of the intake system to protect the river.

The Kavango Link Project, which aims to transfer water from the Kavango River to Namibia's Central Areas (CAN), has been identified by government as a long-term solution to growing water demand in the country's economic hub.

Cost effective

Ndamanomhata said Cabinet approved the project in February 2024 following decades of studies that identified the Kavango River as the most viable alternative water source for central Namibia.

He said investigations into alternative water sources date back to the 1980s, while studies conducted in the 1970s informed the development of infrastructure such as the Eastern National Water Carrier, which links Grootfontein to central Namibia.

"From technical and economic perspectives, the Kavango Link option is the most desirable option for water supply to the CAN," he said.

According to Ndamanomhata, the project was assessed against other options, including seawater desalination and alternative water transfer schemes, using technical, financial, environmental, climatic, national and transboundary criteria.

"Presently, the Kavango Link option is the most affordable water intervention by central government from a financing perspective as well as end consumers from a cost of water perspective," he said.

Ndamanomhata added that comprehensive feasibility studies and risk assessments have been undertaken to evaluate the long-term sustainability of seasonal water abstraction from the river.

He said environmental and social impacts are currently being independently assessed by RfM Consulting, while specialist investigations are examining potential hydrological and climate change risks associated with the project.

"The specialist studies are intended to identify potential risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures to address any impacts that may arise during the implementation and operation of the project," he said.

Ndamanomhata said the findings would guide the project's final design and operational requirements, ensuring environmental considerations remain central throughout its lifecycle.