Water rationing in the north

NamWater has undertaken a water rationing measure in the northern parts of Namibia from 13 to 26 March, between the hours 21h00 to 04h00. This decision comes after an inspection done on the Cuvelai water canal earlier this month, which led to the identification of critical issues that are currently affecting water supply.
The issues are: excessive damages to the canal and extreme growth of weeds inside the canal; bad raw water quality due to flood water flowing into the canal; and announced and/or unannounced electricity interruptions which put pressure on consistent potable water production.
Namwater says that the identified situations are significantly reducing the amount of water which it receives for treatment at the Oshakati plant and for distribution thereafter. In reaction to this, NamWater decided to implement proactive measures in order to maintain uninterrupted water supply, by performing emergency repairs to the damaged canal sections between Ogongo and Ombalantu, which is on-going; increasing potable water supply form the Ogongo Water Treatement, Ondangwa, Helao Nafidi, Eenhana and major off-take pipelines in the Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto region during the late evenings and early mornings. The affected towns have been informed, and NamWater is appealing to its customers and the general public to use water sparingly until the issue is resolved.