KEETMANSHOOP – The residents of Keetmanshoop must find alternative sources of water for the next two days as supply interruptions and complete cut-offs will be experienced in some areas of the town. 

The national water utility, NamWater said this was due to unforseen maintenance and repair works which had caused interruptions.

NamWater’s //Kharas regional head Andries Kock said in a communique to the Keetmanshoop municipality, the town was experiencing low reservoir levels due to technical issues with their pumps along the main pipeline, which have been detected since Saturday. 

“Due to additional technical challenges, the supply will not be sufficient to meet the town’s demand, leading to ongoing water shortages until the issues are fully resolved, “ the statement read. 

NamWater estimated that full supply capacity will only be restored by Wednesday, 05 March 2025. 

“In the meantime, residents, particularly those in high lying areas such as Westdene may experience low water pressure and intermittent supply disruptions, “ said Kock, adding that residents should use water sparingly until the situation stabilises. 

The document added that NamWater, in consultation with the Keetmanshoop municipality, will asses the situation and may need to implement temporary water rationing in certain areas to mange the available supply effectively. 

Kock said the situation had worsened in the meantime as another mine supply water pipe leakage was reported yesterday morning. 

He said even if all repairs and maintenance were carried out, the reservoir levels will remain low in the early stages, leading to interruptions in some residential areas and cut-offs in others.

Residents at the town expressed mixed feelings about the sudden, unforeseen water crisis. They bemoaned that the municipality had not warned them about the supply disruptions in advance. 

In a social media post yesterday the Keetmanshoop municipality acknowledged the crisis, promising to provide regular updates to the community on progress.