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Windhoek City Council Implements Water-Use Restrictions to Combat Drought Crisis

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Justice Nwafor
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Image Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Windhoek City Council has taken decisive action in response to the worsening drought conditions by implementing strict water-use restrictions. These measures, discussed and approved during a recent council meeting, aim to combat the escalating water scarcity issue and ensure the city's water resources are used judiciously. The council's primary objective is to reduce Windhoek's water demand by 10%, thereby mitigating the risk of a severe water shortage.

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According to a council document, the available water from the main supplying dams, namely Von Bach, Swakoppoort, and Omatako, is deemed insufficient to sustain Windhoek for an extended period. The water levels in these reservoirs are critically low, with Omatako Dam virtually empty and Von Bach Dam currently at only 26.8% of its total capacity. Furthermore, the transfer system connecting Swakoppoort Dam to Von Bach Dam is unreliable, experiencing frequent disruptions. Although Swakoppoort Dam is at 72.3% capacity, its water quality is poor, posing additional challenges.

To address these concerns, the Windhoek City Council has introduced several water-use restrictions. Residents are now required to wash their cars using buckets instead of hose pipes, water their gardens only twice a week, and keep swimming pools covered to minimize evaporation. Additionally, the council has prohibited the use of fountains and water features, lowered the threshold for penalty tariffs in block water tariffs, and ceased providing water leak rebates. These comprehensive measures aim to ensure that every sector plays a role in conserving water resources.

The City's Focus on Groundwater and Collaboration with NamWater

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Recognizing the need for alternative water sources, the city plans to rely more on groundwater. However, the groundwater contains higher concentrations of iron and manganese, which may lead to aesthetic issues rather than affecting water quality and safety for human consumption. Despite this drawback, the city anticipates a reduction in its water bill from NamWater due to the decreased volume of water supplied by the utility.

NamWater, responsible for delivering 70% of Windhoek's water, is actively engaged in securing water supplies for the central areas of Namibia, particularly Windhoek. The water utility plans to start pumping water from northern sources, such as Berg Aukas and Kombat mine, through a supply canal to Omatako Dam and Von Bach Dam. Additionally, NamWater is working on replacing the aging pipeline used to transport water from Swakoppoort Dam to Von Bach Dam for treatment and distribution to Windhoek.

NamWater's Assurance

NamWater's CEO, Abraham Nehemia, has assured the public that the current water levels in the three dams do not indicate an impending water disaster. He stated that there is sufficient water to cater to the central areas, including Windhoek, until 2025, even without inflows into the dams. However, it is crucial to remain cautious and implement proactive water-saving measures to safeguard the city's water supply for the future.

The Windhoek City Council urges all residents, businesses, and institutions to actively participate in water conservation efforts. Lydia Amutenya, the city spokesperson, emphasizes that everyone must assume responsibility for water conservation by promptly fixing leaks and adopting water-saving practices. By collectively addressing the water scarcity issue, the residents of Windhoek can contribute significantly to securing a sustainable water future for the city.

Namibia Water Scarcity Water Conservation Windhoek Drought Response Sustainable Living
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