Water rationing for certain areas

New pumps being installed
Augetto Graig
NamWater yesterday confirmed the interruption of water supply to Hosea Kutako International Airport and lifestyle developments east of the capital, including Finkenstein Estate, Finkenstein Village and Herboth's Blick Nature Estate.
The Ondekaremba Estate, the University of Namibia's Neudamm Campus, the Otjihase Mine, Omaanda Lodge, Bergvlug and other clients in the Döbra area are also affected.
According to NamWater, the problem began on Thursday 21 July, with a technical error at two pumps at the Otjihase pump station, which is located near Brakwater. The Otjihase pumps were installed in 2014/15.
Finkenstein's trustees have been encouraging residents to consume less water since last month. Residents were asked to cut their daily water consumption by 60%, from 450 litres per household, to 180 litres per day. By 5 August, residents had reached this target, but not before the water reservoir at Finkenstein’s level had dropped to just a quarter of its capacity.
In the meantime, the management at Finkenstein had two additional 10 000 litre water tanks installed and NamWater is transporting water to the affected communities with water tanks. According to NamWater, they transport about 330 cubic meters of water to Bergvlug, Finkenstein, Herboth's Blick, Omaanda and Ondekaremba every day.
NamWater is also renovating its borehole at farm Hoffnung near Heja Lodge and connecting this alternative source to the Otjihase pipeline.
“Once the installation is complete, we will be able to meet the normal water demand of all affected customers,” NamWater said in a media statement. Furthermore, the water utility also confirmed that the broken pumps, which were sent to Johannesburg, were so damaged that it could take up to 15 weeks to repair. In light of this, the decision was made to buy new pumps, which would take between three and four weeks to deliver.
NamWater warned affected customers on Monday that “normal water supply is expected to be restored no earlier than four weeks from now”.
Meanwhile, Finkenstein's manager, Dirk Lourens, said that the possibility of water rotation was avoided with the cooperation of residents. He said the estate is working with NamWater and hopes that the situation will improve within days through the refilling of their reservoir and additional tanks.
Herboth's Blick's water supply has been reduced to ensure residents still get some water every day.
Dan Kamati, spokesperson for the Namibia Airports Company (NAC), said that operations at Hosea Kutako International Airport continue as normal. “We have enough reserves to prevent any interruption in the airport's operations during the period.” – [email protected]