NamWater spends over N$15m on infrastructure maintenance in //Kharas

During the 2023/24 financial year, the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) spent approximately N$15 million on maintenance activities in the //Kharas region.

Places such as Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz and Bethanie are experiencing intermittent water disruptions due to pipe breaks or breakdowns at pump stations. However, NamWater seems to be facing a country-wide challenge of pipe-bursts and water interruptions due to aging water infrastructure.

NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata says NamWater is actively addressing aging infrastructure through ongoing pipeline and water infrastructure replacement projects, such as the Naute-Keetmanshoop pipeline replacement, alongside routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs to prevent failures.

“In addition to daily maintenance, NamWater is actively implementing capital and maintenance projects to refurbish or replace identified infrastructure. During the 2023/24 financial year, approximately N$15 million was spent on maintenance activities alone in the business unit south,” says Ndamanomhata.

Keetmanshoop resident Sam Barnard says intermittent water cuts not only disrupt daily activities of people but also impact hygiene, provision of food through gardening projects, and is an inconvenience, especially when residents are not warned in advance.

Barnard says it is uncomfortable for elderly people to go up the hills close to Oxpass to fetch water from the trucks the municipality provides when there are water cuts.

“At least if the municipalities or water utilities would inform us in advance that there will be a period we will be without water, we can prepare for it. But most times you realise there is no water only when you open the tap and when you call the service provider,” says Barnard.

He says that speaks of a leadership not focussed on their work and which is failing in its planning and town maintenance.

The spokesperson says the water utility advertised a tender to the value of N$184 million to replace the main feeder pipeline from Naute Dam to Keetmanshoop and awarded the winning contract in February 2024.

Unfortunately, says the spokesperson, the winning contractor failed to get on-site, and the award was subsequently cancelled. The contractor reportedly became aggrieved by the cancellation and took the matter to court.

“The matter is currently sub judice, and NamWater’s hands remain tied until court proceedings provide directions on the way forward,” says the spokesperson.

Ndamanomhata says NamWater, together with the Lüderitz Town Council, is engaged in discussions to explore medium- and long-term solutions, including the construction of a new storage reservoir to improve the town’s water supply capacity.

The blooming of activities within Lüderitz has led to a higher water demand, putting increased pressure on existing infrastructure, says Ndamanomhata. Lüderitz Town Council public relations officer Elwin !Gaoseb says the council employs mitigation measures to ensure that despite these setbacks, the council supplies the community with water through alternative sources.

!Gaoseb says the council is in the process of upgrading its current water network to address shortcomings in the supply of services, particularly high-lying areas. “During 2022/23, a pipe break at the Khoichab water reservoir resulted in a non-supply of water for a period of two weeks from NamWater. Council supplied water to the community through a by pass.” “Water is a human right and basic necessity, and its absence places our community members in an adverse situation,” says !Gaoseb.