The three dams that are major sources of water for Windhoek are now filled to only 18,7% of their combined storage capacity, the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) reported yesterday.
NamWater reported in its weekly update on dam levels countrywide that the Swakoppoort, Von Bach and Omatako dams, from which water is supplied to Windhoek, Okahandja and Karibib, are now storing 28,8 million cubic metres of water, which translates to 18,7% of their combined storage capacity of 154,5 million cubic metres.
The three dams were filled to 19% of their combined capacity a week ago. A year ago, Swakoppoort, Von Bach and Omatako were filled to 38% of their storage capacity.
The City of Windhoek described Von Bach Dam’s level as “critically low” last week.
The city also recorded that Windhoek residents exceeded their water consumption target by 18% during the previous week, and stated it is crucial that immediate steps be taken to conserve water in Windhoek.
Hardap Dam near Mariental, which is Namibia’s main reservoir for irrigation, is now storing 36,3 million cubic metres of water, which is 12,3% of its total capacity of 294,5 million cubic metres. A year ago, when the dam’s level stood at 38,8%, it was holding about 114,3 million cubic metres of water.
The main dam levels reported by NamWater yesterday, with the dams’ readings at the corresponding time a year ago in brackets, are:
Swakoppoort 36,8% (72,3%)
Von Bach 11,5% (26,8%)
Omatako 0,2% (0,2%)
Hardap 12,3% (38,8%)
Neckartal 83,1% (92,6%)
Naute 47,2% (64,8%)
Oanob 43,2% (60,2%)
Dreihuk 19,2% (1,2%)
Bondels 69% (empty)
Otjivero Main 4,3% (12%)
Otjivero Silt 1,4% (0,6%)
Tilda Viljoen 4,2% (41%)
Daan Viljoen 6,9% (15,5%)
Olushandja 36,3% (17%)
Friedenau 56,6% (70%).
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