Walvis Bay runs dry again

WALVIS Bay’s ongoing water problems escalated yesterday when the local authority implemented radical water-saving measures.

The water supply at the town was completely shut down between noon and 18h00. Water was only available from 18h00 to 21h00.Through the night, the taps were closed again and were scheduled to be reopened at 06h00 today.Until 18h00 today a shut-down will leave the town dry again.Municipal public relations manager Kevin Adams said residents would be provided with regular updates on any changes and be informed whether the situation will continue this weekend.The last time such drastic measures were taken was in 2000 when the country also experienced an exceptional rainy season.A power outage at Rooibank at 05h00 yesterday resulted in the complete failure of NamWater’s water supply system.Affected water pumps must be reset one by one, but because the Kuiseb River is still in flood, technicians can’t reach most of the pumps.The whole town now relies on the remaining water in the Mile 7 reservoir, which was only half full yesterday.Other reservoirs have run dry during the last few days despite precautionary steps taken by the Municipality.Water was supplied at reduced pressure since NamWater’s electricity infrastructure was damaged by the flowing Kuiseb River a week ago.Since the bulk water supplier could provide only a fraction of the town’s normal consumption of more than 500 cubic metres per hour, stored resources were depleted rapidly.The corporate communications manager of NamWater, Johannes Shigwedha, could not be reached for an update on the progress of repairs.Water was only available from 18h00 to 21h00.Through the night, the taps were closed again and were scheduled to be reopened at 06h00 today.Until 18h00 today a shut-down will leave the town dry again.Municipal public relations manager Kevin Adams said residents would be provided with regular updates on any changes and be informed whether the situation will continue this weekend.The last time such drastic measures were taken was in 2000 when the country also experienced an exceptional rainy season. A power outage at Rooibank at 05h00 yesterday resulted in the complete failure of NamWater’s water supply system.Affected water pumps must be reset one by one, but because the Kuiseb River is still in flood, technicians can’t reach most of the pumps.The whole town now relies on the remaining water in the Mile 7 reservoir, which was only half full yesterday.Other reservoirs have run dry during the last few days despite precautionary steps taken by the Municipality.Water was supplied at reduced pressure since NamWater’s electricity infrastructure was damaged by the flowing Kuiseb River a week ago.Since the bulk water supplier could provide only a fraction of the town’s normal consumption of more than 500 cubic metres per hour, stored resources were depleted rapidly.The corporate communications manager of NamWater, Johannes Shigwedha, could not be reached for an update on the progress of repairs.