Water reservoir in the pipelinefor Henties Bay

The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) will be constructing a water storage reservoir at Henties Bay after the replacement of a 5km water pipeline.

NamWater chief executive Abraham Nehemia says the reservoir will be constructed after the first phase of the pipeline project is completed.

This was announced during the recent launch of NamWater’s groundbreaking 10km section Kuiseb collector 2 Schwarzekuppe-Swakopmund pipeline project at Utuseb.

“Following the successful completion of this pipeline replacement project, we will embark on the construction of the new water bulk storage reservoir,” Nehemia said.

He said the reservoir would bolster the water supply system and enhance the capacity for water management and storage.

“This will ensure that we are better prepared to meet the challenges posed by fluctuating demand and the impact of climate change,” he said.

Minister of agriculture, water and land reform Calle Schlettwein said the National Assembly recently approved a water budget, and over N$1 billion has been allocated to water, of which 76% is for infrastructure development.

“Water availability was the prime reason for the founding of Henties Bay and it is not surprising therefore that at first we were concentrating on the Omdel Aquifer at the Omaruru River mouth, the very source of freshwater that was discovered in 1886,” he said.

Schlettwein said a secure supply of water in Namibia can only be achieved through the development of infrastructure that link freshwater resources to an integrated network of pipes, reservoirs, pump stations and purification plants.

“The replacement of this vital section of the pipeline is a strategic move to ensure that Henties Bay has a reliable water supply system that can withstand the demands of peak periods,” the minister said.

Additionally, the ministry said there are plans for the construction of a desalination plant.

He said the ministry would consider the desalination of seawater in the future to sublimit groundwater resources and close the water supply security gap.

“This resource has, however, reached its full capacity of sustainable abstraction and in the very near future we shall move towards the desalination of seawater,” he said.

The minister said the government will partner with Swakop Uranium mine to construct a second desalination plant at the coast.

The construction of the 20-million cubic metre desalination plant is set to start next year.

“NamWater will develop a second modular plant with a capacity of at least 20-million cubic metres in cooperation with Husab Mine, which is still upgradable by adding additional modules as the need arises,” the minister indicated.

He said the growing population challenges ensuring reliable water supply.

The project is expected to commence with construction next year, with feasibility studies and financing options already having been concluded.