Rudolf Gaiseb

The Namibia Water Corporation’s N$1 billion projects are set to enhance Namibia’s water infrastructure.

This is part of its commitment to ensuring sustainable water access across the nation, and driving socio-economic development.

In a statement released on Monday, NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata revealed that four projects are set to close the gap in water access, enhancing public health, supporting economic activities and improving the quality of life for all Namibians.

The company stated that only 87% of Namibia’s population has access to potable water, leaving 13% without this essential resource. 

“The Rundu water treatment plant extension and associated works project, which represents a significant investment of N$665 million, is funded under the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme,” he said. 

This project aims to enhance water supply capacity for the Kavango East and Kavango West regions through a new raw water abstraction system, an advanced treatment plant and upgrades to the existing water supply scheme.

The extension and upgrades are critical for addressing the urgent need for reliable water infrastructure in these rapidly growing regions. 

Ndamanomhata further said “In collaboration with the Namibian government and the African Development Bank, NamWater also launched the Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Schemes project, which is part of the Namibia Water Sector Support Programme”. 

It aims to enhance water infrastructure for Eenhana and surrounding communities.

This project, costing nearly N$250 million, seeks to boost water supply capacity, and ensure a sustainable, reliable source of clean water for the Ohangwena region. 

It includes equipping boreholes, installing a reverse osmosis purification plant and constructing vital infrastructure.

NamWater has also committed to extending and upgrading the Outapi water treatment works with a project value of N$123.2 million.

This initiative will expand the plant’s capacity to meet the growing water demand in Outapi and surrounding areas, ensuring consistent and reliable water supply.  Additionally, the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime bulk water supply scheme is undergoing upgrades to meet increasing water demand, and address frequent supply interruptions. 

Phase 1 of the project, costing N$91 million and fully-funded by NamWater, focusses on replacing a 17-kilometre stretch from Ondangwa to Oshali.

Another project is the Henties Bay reservoir pipeline upgrade, which involves the replacement of a critical five-kilometre water pipeline, an essential conduit from the Omdel aquifer.

With a project cost of N$15 million, this initiative ensures reliable water supply for the Henties Bay area, reflecting the government’s dedication to service delivery, despite Namibia’s challenging geography.

“This upgrade is crucial for maintaining water reliability in one of Namibia’s key coastal towns, enhancing both quality of life and local economic development,” he said.-rrgaiseb@gmail.com