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NamWater acts to improve Opuwo water supply

The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has embarked on initiatives to bring reliable and potable water to the residents of Opuwo in the Kunene region.

This follows revelations that a contractor awarded the crucial borehole drilling project for the town failed to mobilise or commence work on-site after the award.

“This project was critical to resolving the water crisis at Opuwo, which continues as NamWater works to reassign the contract,” NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata says.

In a statement issued on Friday, Ndamanomhata said the water utility recognised the challenges posed by deteriorating water quality and insufficiency and has initiated short-, medium- and long-term interventions to address the situation.

He said NamWater is replacing the membranes at the Opuwo reverse osmosis plant to immediately restore the supply of treated water.

Ndamanomhata said the replacement work should have commence on 23 January and is scheduled for completion by 12 February.

“This intervention is expected to significantly improve the quality of water distributed to the community,” he added.

In addition to the water treatment, NamWater will also drill new boreholes in the south-eastern wellfield (Omanduu and Okovaeve villages), where assessments have shown better water quality than the current boreholes.

These new boreholes will reduce reliance on the existing, low-quality water sources, the spokesperson said.

As part of short-term measures, two new boreholes were recently drilled and connected to the treatment plant, providing a combined yield of 22 m3/hour.

In the medium term, a major project to drill 20 new boreholes in the south-eastern wellfield is underw
ay. This includes 13 production boreholes and seven standby boreholes to meet Opuwo’s projected water demand of 3 040 m3/day by the 2036 fiscal year.

Ndamanomhata said the drilling contract is expected to span approximately 10 months.

He said NamWater and the Opuwo Town Council, are doing everything possible to address the challenges experienced by the community.

“This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to ensuring Opuwo residents have access to reliable and sustainable water services.

“NamWater recognises the frustrations of Opuwo residents regarding the delays and reiterates its commitment to resolving the situation with urgency,” Ndamanomhata said.

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