Desal water helped Swakop over holidays

Namibia's popular coast town of Swakopmund, where the population significantly swells over the holiday period, did not experience undue water supply issues over the festive season. Norika Goaises, the Swakopmund municipality's spokesperson, told Namibian Sun that although many visitors flock to the holiday hotspot, placing additional pressure on water resources, no problems were experienced.While the municipality is still collating exact water consumption figures for December and January, Goaises confirmed that the town was prepared for the annual influx and water supply was secure.She added that because the Omdel and Kuiseb aquifers are currently over-abstracted the municipality is also buying desalinated water to augment water supply to the coastal town.Namibian Sun previously reported that water demand at the coast has steeply increased over the past decade due to a population boom in the region. Demand for water from the Omdel aquifer rose by 10% and 6%, compared to an average annual increase of roughly 3%, but although the aquifer remains stable authorities are keeping close watch. Goaises confirmed that the coast's water situation is being addressed by the cabinet committee on water supply security. Less, not moreIn Walvis Bay, water consumption over December surprisingly dropped lower than the previous three months, authorities confirmed.Grace Amunyela, spokesperson for the Walvis Bay municipality, explained that the bulk water supply data “reflects a slight drop in water use demand” between 22 December and 1 January 2018 compared to the previous periods.She said as such, the number of visitors to Walvis Bay did not impact water consumption levels. Over the 10-day period an estimated 17 973 cubic metres of water was used, which is a 16% drop of the daily usage recorded in November. The average daily water supply for November and October 2017 were 21 331 cubic metres and 18 617 cubic metres, respectively.She added that the daily water consumption rates have to be “understood within the context of climatic factors that may affect municipal water supply in the near future”.The water consumption numbers include the entire town of Walvis Bay including water losses due to pipe bursts.The water consumption rates exclude water supply to Namport. JANA-MARI SMITH

Desal water helped Swakop over holidays

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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Desal water helped Swakop over holidays

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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