Windhoek relies ‘heavily’ on aquifer as dams run low
Experts ‘unsure what to expect’
While Windhoek is in a 'favourable' position with its aquifer 'reasonably full', residents have been urged to save water.
Windhoek residents have been seriously urged to save at least 10% of water as dams in the central parts of the country are at only 35.1% of their capacity, an El Niño year is predicted and the municipality has been heavily relying on the capital's underground aquifer.
This while the average level of the dams in central parts stood at 55.8% last year.
Currently, national dam levels average around 65.5%, compared to last year's 79.3%.
‘Favourable situation’
Water from Windhoek's aquifer has been heavily utilised over the past two months, with the underground water source being reasonably full or close to full, according to experts.
Information from a recent water supply seminar in the central parts of the country indicated that the aquifer's levels currently correspond to those of the 1950s and 2011 - partially due to the municipality's project to inject purified water into the aquifer during years of abundance.
"This is a very favourable situation. At the same time, we are uncertain about what to expect if we continue to heavily utilise the aquifer. It's a new way of doing things, and we are gradually learning.
“However, we believe that the aquifer can help us get through the next two rainy seasons," an informed source from the City of Windhoek told Namibia Media Holdings.
For emergencies
The water supply plan for the next two rainy seasons stipulates that the aquifer must provide about 8.5 million cubic metres of water over the coming year, while the City must supply an additional 5.84 million cubic metres through water recycling and NamWater must provide 10.16 million cubic metres from its dams and other projects.
The plan was accepted in May during a water supply seminar in the central parts of the country. This plan is only sustainable for the next two rainy seasons, and adjustments will be made if the situation improves or worsens.
"It essentially means that we expect Windhoek residents to use only about 24.5 million cubic metres of water.
"In addition to this, residents must save 10% of water. The idea is that if the 10% water saving rate is achieved, we will 'credit' it against water extracted from our boreholes. The aquifer was developed for emergencies," the source explained.
The water supply plan has been developed to survive as if there will be no inflow of water to central dams during the upcoming rainy season. However, stakeholders such as NamWater and the City will evaluate the situation and adjust it accordingly.
"Ultimately, everything depends on the rain, and this plan remains in place until the situation changes significantly," the source said.
This while the average level of the dams in central parts stood at 55.8% last year.
Currently, national dam levels average around 65.5%, compared to last year's 79.3%.
‘Favourable situation’
Water from Windhoek's aquifer has been heavily utilised over the past two months, with the underground water source being reasonably full or close to full, according to experts.
Information from a recent water supply seminar in the central parts of the country indicated that the aquifer's levels currently correspond to those of the 1950s and 2011 - partially due to the municipality's project to inject purified water into the aquifer during years of abundance.
"This is a very favourable situation. At the same time, we are uncertain about what to expect if we continue to heavily utilise the aquifer. It's a new way of doing things, and we are gradually learning.
“However, we believe that the aquifer can help us get through the next two rainy seasons," an informed source from the City of Windhoek told Namibia Media Holdings.
For emergencies
The water supply plan for the next two rainy seasons stipulates that the aquifer must provide about 8.5 million cubic metres of water over the coming year, while the City must supply an additional 5.84 million cubic metres through water recycling and NamWater must provide 10.16 million cubic metres from its dams and other projects.
The plan was accepted in May during a water supply seminar in the central parts of the country. This plan is only sustainable for the next two rainy seasons, and adjustments will be made if the situation improves or worsens.
"It essentially means that we expect Windhoek residents to use only about 24.5 million cubic metres of water.
"In addition to this, residents must save 10% of water. The idea is that if the 10% water saving rate is achieved, we will 'credit' it against water extracted from our boreholes. The aquifer was developed for emergencies," the source explained.
The water supply plan has been developed to survive as if there will be no inflow of water to central dams during the upcoming rainy season. However, stakeholders such as NamWater and the City will evaluate the situation and adjust it accordingly.
"Ultimately, everything depends on the rain, and this plan remains in place until the situation changes significantly," the source said.
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