NamWater addresses water security
NamWater has started building a water reservoir at Oshakati to address water shortages in areas dependent on the Oshakati water purification plant.
The water utility says the water demand in the north has increased by more than 300% since independence and the existing water infrastructure at Oshakati cannot meet the demand.
The N$33 million construction project started in May last year and is expected to be completed by July.
According to NamWater spokesman Johannes Shigwedha, NamWater decided to build the new reservoir to increase the storage capacity for areas that depend on the Oshakati water purification plant.
“The population in these areas is increasing, putting stress on the current water reservoirs to the point [where] it is no longer possible to have a 48-hour stand-by period, as is the policy of the water utility,” Shigwedha said.
All parts of the Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions depend on the Oshakati purification plant for drinking water.
Last August, the water supply became problematic when the plant was not able to supply enough water to the northern regions. As a result of the crisis, Ohangwena and Oshikoto had no water supply, while Oshana received only a trickle.
Shigwedha said the six-phase project was being conducted by EMS Contractors, with Windhoek Consulting Engineers doing the engineering work.
The NamWater project has created jobs for 91 skilled and unskilled workers.
ILENI NANDJATO
The water utility says the water demand in the north has increased by more than 300% since independence and the existing water infrastructure at Oshakati cannot meet the demand.
The N$33 million construction project started in May last year and is expected to be completed by July.
According to NamWater spokesman Johannes Shigwedha, NamWater decided to build the new reservoir to increase the storage capacity for areas that depend on the Oshakati water purification plant.
“The population in these areas is increasing, putting stress on the current water reservoirs to the point [where] it is no longer possible to have a 48-hour stand-by period, as is the policy of the water utility,” Shigwedha said.
All parts of the Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions depend on the Oshakati purification plant for drinking water.
Last August, the water supply became problematic when the plant was not able to supply enough water to the northern regions. As a result of the crisis, Ohangwena and Oshikoto had no water supply, while Oshana received only a trickle.
Shigwedha said the six-phase project was being conducted by EMS Contractors, with Windhoek Consulting Engineers doing the engineering work.
The NamWater project has created jobs for 91 skilled and unskilled workers.
ILENI NANDJATO
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