Desalination plant a priority
The government's planned desalination plant along the coast is essential and is now the highest priority for the development of water supply in the country.Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, says the need is becoming critical and with the expected new mines, water supply along the coast will be insufficient within three years. Schlettwein says the coast's water supply is already under pressure with the Kuiseb and Omaruru aquifers sometimes not providing enough water.
NamWater's new board was sworn in by Schlettwein in the capital yesterday.
He instructed them to implement the strategic five-year plan that had just been drawn up. In terms of the new desalination plant, he says: "The process has already begun. Land is available and the environmental impact studies have been launched. Now you have to work out the final financing and make sure the construction starts," he told the new board.
The board is chaired by Luther Rukira for the next three years, with Meange Shipiki-Kali as his deputy. Other board members are Vivianne Kinyaga, Francis Heunis, Uda Nakamela, Fanuel Uugwanga and Matty Hauuanga.
Schlettwein says one of the most important projects that has already started and that must be successfully completed under the new board’s supervision is the renewal of the water pipeline in the Erongo region.
"When we build the new desalination plant along the coast, we don't want an outdated pipeline, which could fail under greater pressure due to greater volumes of water," he said.
According to Schlettwein, the desalination plan consists of three phases, with phase one involving the construction of a 20 million cubic meter plant. This plant will serve local authorities along the coast, such as Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Wlotzkasbaken, along with mines in the area, and towns such as Uis.
In phase two, the desalinated seawater will be piped to Windhoek, and later - in phase three - the government intends to supply Botswana with desalinated water, he says.
Rukira said he would be happy if desalinated water could be led to Uis and Daures because boreholes there are already drying up.
Cooperation from mines
According to Schlettwein, the government will build the new plant in cooperation with the mines involved.
“NamWater is involved in carrying out the project in collaboration with the mines to help finance the project. We have a good synergy with the mines because they also want the cheapest water possible," the minister added.
Schlettwein maintained that Namibia will never treat water as a commodity. "There is no place for profit-taking when it comes to water," he said. According to the minister, this is because many poor Namibians in informal settlements need water just as much as richer Namibians and businesses.
Secondly, water in Namibia is more expensive than in the rest of the region and therefore cheap water is essential for Namibia to compete for industrial development.
Other ongoing projects to be completed by the new board include the establishment of new treatment plants at Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Oshakati, repairs to the Omahenene-Oshakati canal, rerouting the canal around the Oshikuku settlement and the water pipes from Ondangwa to Omutse Gwonimme, and from Ogongo to Oshakati.
The renovation of the water pipeline between the Naute Dam and Keetmanshoop is just as important, he said.
In Windhoek, NamWater must work with the municipality to upgrade the sewage plant and the treatment plant.
Water resources that Namibia shares with neighbouring countries should also receive attention, especially in terms of the Zambezi and Kavango rivers, which should be harnessed for more irrigation, according to the agriculture minister.
"It is your job to ensure there is no interruption of supply to the green schemes. Any interruption to these schemes is fatal," he warned.