Water supply and sanitation improves

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKThe supply of water and sanitation facilities in rural areas has improved significantly over the past three decades, according to official statistics.Since independence, a total of 51 water supply schemes have been constructed in Namibia, covering a distance of 12 375 km across the country. A total number of 3 243 water points have been rehabilitated, 7 684 were installed after drilling and the connection of 23 515 private off-takes have been identified by all regions.Before independence, 17% of rural households had access to improved sanitation. This figure had increased to 35% by 2020.Also, 49% of urban households had access to improved sanitation before independence, and this figure had improved to 82% to by last year.The deputy director of public relations in the agriculture ministry, Chrispin Matongela, says water point committees and caretakers are trained to manage these points in all regions except Khomas, as guided by the community-based management strategy for rural water supply. Dams He says 256 earthen dams have been excavated or rehabilitated in 13 regions, excluding Khomas.Furthermore, the National Sanitation Strategy was developed to enhance coordination of sanitation provision, whereas national and regional water and sanitation forums were established to enhance the overall coordination.According to Matongela, 4 015 improved sanitation facilities were constructed in the 13 regions. Since 2017, the community-led total sanitation programme has been implemented in the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West and Ohangwena regions.A total of 13 villages have been declared open defecation free as the communities have been empowered to conduct their own sanitation appraisal and analysis.

Water supply and sanitation improves

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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Water supply and sanitation improves

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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