Warning: Taps may run dry

Water levels in the dams supplying the central areas of Namibia have dropped to critically low levels, causing NamWater to implement additional measures to ensure that consumers have enough water for the next two rainy seasons. NamWater yesterday announced additional control measures to be introduced for customers in the central area water supply network, including Windhoek, Okahandja, Karibib, Okakarara, the Navachab Mine and Hosea Kutako International Airport. According to NamWater spokesperson Tommi Numbala, the catchment areas of the three main dams that supply water to the central area - Omatako, Von Bach and the Swakoppoort - have not received significant inflows to the extent that dam levels are much lower compared to the same period in previous rainy seasons. Currently the Swakoppoort Dam is 34.7% full, compared to the previous year when it was 64%. The Omatako Dam is at 5.2%, while it was 22.8% last season. The Von Bach Dam water level is at 35.5%, compared to 53.3% at the same time last year. Measures to increase water supply to the central areas include increasing the pumping of water from the Berg Aukas Mine Shaft, the Kombat Mine, the Berg Aukas Boreholes, Karst 1, the Goblenz Boreholes, the Goreangab Reclamation Plant and the City of Windhoek Boreholes. NamWater will enforce a 15% water demand management strategy in the central water supply area. According to Numbala, it is necessary for all consumers in the central water supply area to curb water demand and exercise demand management strategies. In line with this NamWater and all the stakeholders in the central water supply area, will implement strict water demand management strategies to ensure that all beneficiaries contribute fairly to the water demand measures. “Water users in the central area of Namibia are called upon to co-operate fully in this very important matter. If everybody contributes, we will be in a position to ensure that hardship is reduced to the absolute minimum,” Numbala said. Several warnings have been issued recently that should there be no significant inflow recorded in the supply dams of the central areas, they may run out of water by the middle of next year. WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT