Martin Endjala
The City of Windhoek has implemented water restrictions after declaring a Category D drought due to a water scarcity situation that has been continuously worsening since June 2023.
The decision was approved during the Municipal Council ordinary council meeting held last week.
According to the city council’s Water Management Plan and Water Demand Response Index, Category D – severe water scarcity – requires mandatory water restrictions of at least 15%.
Cillie Kapolo, the City of Windhoek communication officer, said that measure was taken to regulate demand.
“The impact of this demand management category on residents includes measures such as requiring gardens to be watered only once a week, requiring vehicles to be washed only by certified commercial car washes, and requiring swimming pools to be covered and not filled or refilled from public supply,” she said.
Other measures include restricting water features such as fountains and encouraging residents to reuse water.
Water tariffs will also be adjusted to include penalty rates for high water consumption levels, and residents are expected to perform daily water meter readings to identify leaks.
“Please note that there will be no rebates for water lost due to leaks.,” she said.
According to the African Earth Sciences review report conducted last year on water security and management under climate change conditions in Windhoek.
It shows that the capital city depends on surface water runoff, groundwater systems, and greywater recycling for its domestic, commercial, and industrial water supply.
However, due to the city’s high evaporation rate, only 2% of the total rainfall ends up as runoff and inflow into the dams, plus another 1% seeps into the groundwater as recharge. The city accounts for 15% of the country’s population.
The report indicated that rural-to-urban migration has, in turn, put immense pressure on municipal water supply systems (National Statistics Agency, 2011).
The report projects that by 2040, 67% of the country’s population will reside in urban areas, up from nearly 35% in 2011.
The Council also approved Sport Turf Solution CC’s application for a 10-year lease of Joseph Wood Playground on Erf 1337, Klein Windhoek.
The lease aims to upgrade the playground by installing artificial football pitches and managing the area as a pilot project.
The proposed redevelopment involves revamping the entire underutilised play park to attract families and corporate sports and recreational teams.
“While the play park will remain accessible and free to the general public, the new artificial play area will be managed on a business basis with associated user fees. This upgrade is expected to enhance the park’s appeal and add value for residents,” she said.
The Council also approved the Recreational Facilities and Public Open Spaces Development Masterplan.
This plan is said to address the development of vacant erven zoned as public open spaces; that have been underutilised due to the lack of a comprehensive design or masterplan, compounded by rapid urbanisation and evolving land use requirements.
“The master plan is essential for creating a guiding framework for the design, development, and financing of functional public open spaces,” she stated.
She said it will also provide a platform for engaging with and receiving proposals from prospective investors interested in developing these spaces in accordance with Council standards.
The master plan identifies 35 public open spaces for implementation and includes six model designs for different types of parks, such as parks, playgrounds, and family parks.
Kapolo, however, said there is still a need to create additional recreational facilities to cater to the diverse interests of different demographic groups.
“The Municipal Council of Windhoek is committed to ensuring that residents have access to well-developed recreational amenities for leisure and relaxation in accordance with the Local Authorities Act 23 of 1992, Section 48(b) and (c),” she added.
