Walvis Bay water supply sufficient for the time being: Council

WALVIS Bay’s problems with low water pressure, low reservoir levels and too much chlorine in the water have been solved for now.

But pressure is now mounting to ensure sufficient water supply within the next five years, when the town will have several heavy industries joining the queue for the precious resource. Walvis Bay municipal spokesperson Nolito Marques says pressure is increasing on the Municipality to ensure that all its residents and industries will have enough water for the next five to 10 years, and indicated that plans for a desalination plant are “definitely in the pipeline”.”Several heavy industrial projects, which include oil depots and refineries and several others, are planned to be in place within the next five years, and although this is great for economic development and employment, there is the issue of water – whether we’ll have enough for everyone,” Marques told The Namibian.He said Mayor Derek Klazen, had a meeting with President Hifikepunye Pohamba recently, where he informed the President of the massive industrial development expected at the town.The issue of water supply was also discussed, and the Mayor emphasised the need for a desalination plant, which the Municipality would facilitate but would have to be driven by the private sector.Although the Municipality had in the past tried to get control over water supply and infrastructure returned to it from NamWater, Marques said good co-operation between the two parties had now become the preferred option.He said the responsibility of ensuring sufficient water supply to Walvis Bay was, and always would be, the responsibility of the Municipality, but that co-operation with the private sector was necessary for a long-term solution.Walvis Bay municipal spokesperson Nolito Marques says pressure is increasing on the Municipality to ensure that all its residents and industries will have enough water for the next five to 10 years, and indicated that plans for a desalination plant are “definitely in the pipeline”.”Several heavy industrial projects, which include oil depots and refineries and several others, are planned to be in place within the next five years, and although this is great for economic development and employment, there is the issue of water – whether we’ll have enough for everyone,” Marques told The Namibian.He said Mayor Derek Klazen, had a meeting with President Hifikepunye Pohamba recently, where he informed the President of the massive industrial development expected at the town.The issue of water supply was also discussed, and the Mayor emphasised the need for a desalination plant, which the Municipality would facilitate but would have to be driven by the private sector.Although the Municipality had in the past tried to get control over water supply and infrastructure returned to it from NamWater, Marques said good co-operation between the two parties had now become the preferred option.He said the responsibility of ensuring sufficient water supply to Walvis Bay was, and always would be, the responsibility of the Municipality, but that co-operation with the private sector was necessary for a long-term solution.