Groundwater probe in North off ground

A THREE-YEAR study on groundwater resources in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin was launched at Oshakati last week.

The aim is to make more use of groundwater instead of piping water to the northern regions. The study will be conducted by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences in conjunction with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.”Economically the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin is one of the fastest growing areas of Namibia, with the groundwater system there very well known,” said Agriculture Deputy Minister Paul Smit in a speech read on his behalf by Ohangwena Governior Usko Nghaamwa.The basin stretches across the Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena regions – the most densely populated part of Namibia.Smit said many existing boreholes yield saline water that is not fit for human consumption, while in other areas people cannot settle because the existing pipeline network doesn’t extend that far.Because of the increasing population and the need for economic development in that part of the country, a sound understanding of the groundwater system is of utmost importance, Smit said.The study will be conducted by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences in conjunction with the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.”Economically the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin is one of the fastest growing areas of Namibia, with the groundwater system there very well known,” said Agriculture Deputy Minister Paul Smit in a speech read on his behalf by Ohangwena Governior Usko Nghaamwa.The basin stretches across the Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena regions – the most densely populated part of Namibia.Smit said many existing boreholes yield saline water that is not fit for human consumption, while in other areas people cannot settle because the existing pipeline network doesn’t extend that far.Because of the increasing population and the need for economic development in that part of the country, a sound understanding of the groundwater system is of utmost importance, Smit said.