Govt to combat illegal wastewater discharges
The agriculture and water ministry has cautioned towns that continue to discharge wastewater illegally without the necessary permit.
According to the ministry's latest annual report, the number of sanitation and water services providers and operations with valid wastewater and effluent discharge permits remains low in Namibia.
There are about 311 places on record currently of which 71 (23%) have valid permits, 95 (31%) have expired permits and 145 (46%) never had permits.
Capacity to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities remains a challenge for most local authorities and some industries, says the ministry.
“There is also no clarity on who is responsible for wastewater treatment facilities falling under some institutions (health, education and works) after decentralisation, which makes pollution control and compliance challenging. This dilemma needs to be addressed to prevent pollution,” the report states.
Meanwhile, government has also said pollution of water sources and groundwater is a challenge that needs to be addressed and prevented to avoid contamination of potable water resources.
In the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) the report says water scarcity continues to be a serious constraint in achieving economic, environmental and social development issues.
With highly variable and unpredictable rainy seasons the first priority is given to water for domestic purposes including livestock and secondly for economic activities such as mining, industries and irrigation.
Water demand in 2015 was estimated at about 334.1 million cubic meter per year and is projected to reach 583.4 cubic meters by 2025.
Irrigation accounts for about 60% of water consumption and will remain the main consumer over the next ten years.
According to the report, it is envisaged that within in the next five years Namibia has sustainable production and consumption of water resources resulting in improved access to safe drinking water for human consumption and for industry use.
It says the biggest challenge facing the country is to make significant improvements in water demand management and promote water saving measures that influence changes in consumer behaviour.
“There is room to minimise water losses in pipelines, treatment facilities and distribution networks.”
Ageing and inadequate water infrastructure needs to be addressed urgently.
ELLANIE SMIT
According to the ministry's latest annual report, the number of sanitation and water services providers and operations with valid wastewater and effluent discharge permits remains low in Namibia.
There are about 311 places on record currently of which 71 (23%) have valid permits, 95 (31%) have expired permits and 145 (46%) never had permits.
Capacity to operate and maintain wastewater treatment facilities remains a challenge for most local authorities and some industries, says the ministry.
“There is also no clarity on who is responsible for wastewater treatment facilities falling under some institutions (health, education and works) after decentralisation, which makes pollution control and compliance challenging. This dilemma needs to be addressed to prevent pollution,” the report states.
Meanwhile, government has also said pollution of water sources and groundwater is a challenge that needs to be addressed and prevented to avoid contamination of potable water resources.
In the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) the report says water scarcity continues to be a serious constraint in achieving economic, environmental and social development issues.
With highly variable and unpredictable rainy seasons the first priority is given to water for domestic purposes including livestock and secondly for economic activities such as mining, industries and irrigation.
Water demand in 2015 was estimated at about 334.1 million cubic meter per year and is projected to reach 583.4 cubic meters by 2025.
Irrigation accounts for about 60% of water consumption and will remain the main consumer over the next ten years.
According to the report, it is envisaged that within in the next five years Namibia has sustainable production and consumption of water resources resulting in improved access to safe drinking water for human consumption and for industry use.
It says the biggest challenge facing the country is to make significant improvements in water demand management and promote water saving measures that influence changes in consumer behaviour.
“There is room to minimise water losses in pipelines, treatment facilities and distribution networks.”
Ageing and inadequate water infrastructure needs to be addressed urgently.
ELLANIE SMIT
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