NamWater’s mandate is to provide quality water and related services in Namibia while considering the environment, scarcity and the community’s reliance on these resources. The institution’s vision screams ‘Water for All.’ However, is NamWater truly fulfilling its mandate?
To address this question and other related concerns, New Era’s Lahja Nashuuta (LN) spoke with NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata (L).
LN: Is NamWater living up to its mandate?
L: Yes, NamWater is actively fulfilling its mandate of providing quality water and related services to Namibian stakeholders. Despite financial and environmental challenges, we continue to invest in infrastructure development, water supply projects, and strategic partnerships to ensure sustainable water provision.
Our commitment to water for all is demonstrated through major projects such as Rundu Water Treatment Plant Extension, Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime Pipeline replacement and Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Scheme.
These initiatives enhance access to clean water across the country, ensuring that communities, industries, and local authorities receive reliable and sustainable water services.
LN: Why is water shortage such a major challenge in Namibia?
L: Water scarcity in Namibia is driven by several factors such as arid climate and low rainfall and the fact that Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, making water a scarce resource. Population growth and increased demand, rapid urbanisation and industrial expansion are placing immense pressure on existing water sources.
Besides that, climate change which causes rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns continue to reduce the reliability of traditional water sources.
Lastly, infrastructure limitations such as ageing infrastructure in some areas lead to inefficiencies in water distribution, causing losses due to leakages.
Although dam levels have improved in some regions, this is not a long-term solution to the country’s water challenges. Sustainable water management, investment in new sources such as desalination, and efficient distribution remain key priorities.
LN: What challenges do you face in addressing water scarcity in areas like Rundu, Opuwo and Mariental?
L: NamWater acknowledges the water challenges faced by residents in Rundu, Opuwo and Mariental. These challenges stem from a combination of high demand, ageing infrastructure and geographical constraints.
Rundu has experienced increased urbanisation, which has placed significant pressure on the existing water supply system, leading to intermittent shortages.
While Opuwo, located in a semi-arid region, faces water scarcity due to extreme climate conditions and limited groundwater resources.
In terms of Mariental, reliant on the Hardap Dam, struggles with evaporation losses and water distribution inefficiencies.
To address these issues, NamWater has concrete plans, including the Rundu Water Treatment Plant Extension which will cost approximately N$665 million. This project will enhance water supply to Kavango East and Kavango West, ensuring reliability for a growing population.
Outapi Water Treatment Works Upgrade being constructed at the cost of N$123 million is also expected to increase water supply capacity to support regional development.
Other projects include the Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Scheme which cost N$250 million and is aimed at improving water security for Eenhana and surrounding areas.
Our long-term plans which include desalination projects are being explored to supplement traditional water sources, particularly for coastal and drought-prone regions.
LN: NamWater has commenced with the Epukiro Regional Water Scheme Extension, can you share more information?
L: While addressing supply challenges in Rundu, Opuwo and Mariental, NamWater is also investing in long-term solutions for other areas experiencing acute water shortages.
One such initiative is the Epukiro Regional Water Scheme Extension, valued at N$10 million. This project aims to improve access to clean and reliable water for the people of Epukiro Post 3 in the Omaheke region.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Epukiro Regional Water Scheme Extension, marked a crucial step towards addressing the pressing water challenges faced by the community. This initiative aligns with NamWater’s broader mission to ensure reliable, sustainable, and high-quality water services across Namibia. The project includes the construction of vital infrastructure such as boreholes, pipelines, reservoirs, and powerlines. Specifically, the scope of work involves: the drilling and testing of 11 boreholes (nine production boreholes and two standby boreholes), installation of borehole equipment, pipelines, and powerlines to ensure efficient water distribution and development of reservoirs to provide a stable water supply capable of meeting the daily demand of 265 cubic metres.
This investment underscores NamWater’s commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable water security. Similar efforts are underway across Namibia, with major projects like the Okavango Link Water Supply Project offering large-scale solutions to long-term water scarcity challenges.
LN: Your institution has faced criticism for cutting off water supply to various local authorities that are in debt. Take us through this process.
L: NamWater is a bulk water supplier that relies on revenue from water sales to maintain operations, upgrade infrastructure, and expand access. When local authorities or other customers fail to settle their debts, it directly affects our ability to provide reliable services.
Disconnection is never the first course of action. Before taking such steps, NamWater engages in discussions with local authorities, offers payment arrangements and explores intervention agreements.
However, when non-payment becomes unsustainable – as seen with outstanding debts exceeding N$2.4 billion – NamWater is forced to take measures to recover funds and ensure service continuity.
LN: Do you have any plans to write off debts?
L: Debt write-offs are not a sustainable solution, as NamWater depends on these payments to maintain and expand water services. However, NamWater is open to working with local authorities to find workable solutions, such as structured repayment plans, government intervention and subsidies and improved revenue collection mechanisms at the local authority level.
The goal is to ensure that water supply remains uninterrupted while maintaining financial sustainability. Additionally, residents have raised concerns that they pay their local authorities for water, yet these payments are not forwarded to NamWater.
LN: Who owns NamWater?
L: NamWater is a State-owned enterprise, meaning it is 100% government-owned. It receives no subsidies from its shareholder and has not had a tariff adjustment in the last four years. Revenue collections fluctuate based on water consumption and payment compliance. The growing debt burden currently at N$2.4 billion poses a significant risk to sustainable revenue collection. Meanwhile, the cost of providing water, particularly energy cost continues to rise.
As of 28 February 2025, the total outstanding debt owed by local authorities amounts to N$889 million. The highest debts are as follows:
Rundu Town Council: N$333.9 million; Rehoboth Town Council: N$108.5 million; Khorixas Town Council: N$71.7 million; Otavi Town Council: N$70.7 million; Municipality of Keetmanshoop: N$56.6 million; Opuwo Town Council: N$47.5 million; Municipality of Gobabis: N$45.3 million; Karasburg Town Council: N$35.7 million; Otjozondjupa Regional Council: N$35.2 million; Okakarara Town Council: N$34.1 million and Omaheke Regional Council which owes N$24.8 million.
LN: How does NamWater address issues such as illegal connections, water theft and towns struggling with debts?
L: NamWater is implementing several strategies to combat these challenges and this includes working with law enforcement, traditional authorities, regional and local authorities to prevent illegal connections and water theft, negotiating structured repayment agreements with struggling towns to avoid supply disruptions and upgrading outdated infrastructure to reduce water losses and improve billing accuracy.
The goal is to ensure fair and sustainable water distribution while safeguarding NamWater’s financial stability.
LN: Could you provide an update on the seawater desalination plant project and how it will contribute to water security?
L: The Namibian government has approved a large-scale desalination plant in Erongo, which will produce 20 million cubic metres of water per year. This project will support coastal towns, industries, and future regional supply, reduce dependency on inland water sources, preserving them for agricultural and domestic use and improve long-term water security by diversifying supply sources.
While desalination remains a critical component of Namibia’s water security strategy, NamWater is also exploring inland solutions that provide long-term resilience against drought. One of the most significant projects in this regard is the Okavango Link Water Supply Project, which is set to transform water security in Namibia.
With both the desalination initiative and the Okavango Link Project, NamWater is pursuing a diversified approach to ensure sustainable and secure water supply solutions for Namibia’s growing needs. Addressing these challenges requires not only large-scale infrastructure but also tackling issues such as illegal connections and revenue collection, which continue to impact service delivery.
Desalination is indeed a key part of Namibia’s long-term water strategy, ensuring that industries and communities have access to sustainable water solutions.
LN: What did we leave out?
L: NamWater remains steadfast in its commitment to providing sustainable and quality water services. While financial and environmental challenges persist, the corporation is actively investing in long-term solutions, fostering partnerships, and engaging stakeholders to achieve the national goal of water for all, forever!