Water: Windhoek is okay

The three-dam network serving the cental areas including the Von Bach, Swakoppoort and Omatako dams will run dry by the end of the year but there is enough water in the Windhoek aquifer to supply the city for up to 13 years. This statement was made by the CEO of NamWater Vaino Shivute during a press conference on Friday at Swakopmund.
“However, we are working on a long-term plan for the central areas, including Windhoek, to ensure an uninterrupted and continuous supply of water,” he said.
“There is a committe which is being supported by a technical team, that is investigating the water supply sistation in the country. As things stand now, the three central dams will be empty by the end of the year with Omatako already depleted. The committee is looking at solutions to this problem so that Windhoek will not run dry,” Shivute added.
As this time, NamWater is relying on the aquifer and other underground water sources to supply Windhoek.
Agriculture minister John Mutorwa visited water supply sources across the country. He was accompanied by officials from NamWater, the directorate of water supply and sanitation coordination and the directorate of water resource management.
He told the media on Friday that the aquifer is supplied by the three central dams to ensure that there is always available water when there is a drought. At the moment, NamWater has drilled several borholes in an around Windhoek to access water.
“This is by no means a new source of water. We are just using the resource now which has always been in reserve for the city,” Mutorwa said, adding that Windhoek will not run dry.
Shivute is of the view that the aquifer has enough water to supply Windhoek for between ten and 13 years under normal circumstances but, it can be completely withdrawn within two to three years if water-saving measures are not adhered to.
“We will also be bringing water from the Kombat and Berg Aukas mines to the Omatako Dam. The quantity that we bring in will have to increase and these two sources, coupled with the recycled water, will ensure that Windhoek will not be without water. If we adhere to the water-saving measures, we will get through this drought. It is very important that people do not waste water,” Shivute said.
According to Mutorwa, there are two long-term solutions for the country’s current water crisis. Government is currently considering the construction of the Okavango River pipeline to transfer more water to Windhoek through the canal. Consultants, he said, have been working on this plan since last year. However, he added the Okavango River is a water source used by three different countries and all the relevant stakeholders must be engaged before any construction can start.
The other alternative is to bring water inland from the Atlantic Ocean.
“We have a long coastline and even though desalination is a very expensive option, it remains a viable solution to supply the entire country with water.”