Niël Terblanché
NamWater has unveiled a series of urgent measures to address the ongoing water supply challenges in Opuwo.
The town in the Kunene region has been struggling with deteriorating water quality and insufficient supply
NamWater’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, in a statement on Thursday, said the national water utility has embarked on a combination of short-, medium-, and long-term initiatives aimed at ensuring reliable and sustainable access to potable water for the town’s residents.
Ndamanomhata assured the community of NamWater’s commitment to resolving the crisis.
“NamWater remains steadfast in its mission to provide reliable and safe drinking water to all Namibians. Opuwo’s challenges have been met with a comprehensive plan that prioritises both immediate relief and sustainable solutions for the future,” he said.
He said a substantial short-term intervention currently underway is the replacement of membranes at the Opuwo Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant, which treats water for the community.
According to Ndamanomhata, the new membranes, procured through a tender awarded to Hepwater, arrived on-site on 21 January 2025.
Installation commenced on 23 January and is set for completion by 12 February 2025.
“The replacement of osmosis membranes is a vital step to restore and enhance the quality of treated water distributed to the community,” he added.
To further improve water quality, NamWater has initiated the drilling of new boreholes in the southeastern wellfield, particularly in Omanduu and Okovaeve villages, where assessments have identified higher-quality water sources.
According to Ndamanomhata, these boreholes will reduce reliance on the town’s existing water sources, which have been deemed of lower quality.
“This initiative will not only provide better water for Opuwo residents but will also alleviate pressure on the current supply system,” he explained.
He added that in addition to quality improvements, NamWater is addressing supply capacity through a phased approach.
Two newly drilled boreholes have already been connected to the treatment plant, providing a combined yield of approximately 22 cubic metres per hour.
Optimisation work to stabilise the yield of one of these boreholes is expected to conclude by 14 February 2025.
Looking ahead, the utility is preparing to drill 20 additional boreholes in the southeastern wellfield, comprising 13 production and 7 standby boreholes.
Ndamanomhata said this project is designed to meet Opuwo’s projected water demand of 3,040 cubic metres per day by the 2036 fiscal year.
He added that the process will be expedited through the emergency procurement of a drilling contractor, with the appointment set to be finalised by the end of January and it is anticipated to take approximately 10 months.
Ndamanomhata acknowledged the frustrations expressed by Opuwo residents due to delays in addressing the water crisis but reaffirmed NamWater’s commitment to resolving the situation.
“We understand the concerns of the community. The combination of immediate actions, such as the RO plant upgrades, and medium-term projects, like the wellfield development, highlights our resolve to stabilise water supply and ensure long-term sustainability,” he said.
Ndamanomhata added that NamWater’s efforts are being strengthened by the close collaboration of the Opuwo Town Council.
“This partnership underscores our collective dedication to ensuring reliable and sustainable water services for the people of Opuwo,” he said.
Ndamanomhata pledged to keep the community informed and expressed gratitude for the residents’ patience and understanding.
He said that NamWater’s multifaceted approach represents an important step towards mitigating the challenges and building a more resilient water supply system for the future.
