Namibia, Germany to conduct feasibility study on water supply to the coastal and central areas
In order to meet the increasing water supply demands at a time when water resources in Windhoek and coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, Germany has partnered with government to conduct a feasibility study to explore opportunities for the desalination of seawater as a reliable and sustainable source of drinkable water.
This week a concept workshop for the desalination feasibility study was held in Windhoek, marking the progress of the study to date and bringing together all stakeholders in order to evaluate the preliminary findings as well as to guide the study to its successful conclusion.
The desalination feasibility study is in the process of carrying out a detailed analysis of the projected water demand in the coastal and central region and will develop a proposal for, among other things, the proposed corresponding desalination option, water transfer system and power infrastructure required.
The outcome of the concept workshop will guide the work for the remainder of the study and will conclude with a final workshop before the study is finalised.
German Ambassador to Namibia, Herbert Beck, emphasized at the workshop the complexity and interdependence of questions assessed by the feasibility study. He added that the study will provide “a comprehensive decision making tool to the Namibian Government to make sound decisions for the future water supply of the coastal and central region.”
Abraham Nehemia, Chief Executive Officer of NamWater, emphasized that water security challenges facing Namibia requires a concerted effort of all stakeholders in order to pull together all the available resources be it financial, human or material.
Stakeholders for the workshop included politicians, technocrats, diplomats, development partners and government entities.
The final results of the feasibility study are expected before the end of 2020.
