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NamWater resumes Hardap irrigation water supply

Namwater will resume supplying farmers with irrigation water from the Hardap Dam from Monday next week.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the water utility’s spokesperson, Lot Ndamanomhata, this decision was approved by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, to support national priorities promoting agricultural productivity and economic stability in the region.

Drawing of irrigation water from the Hardap Dam, located on the Fish River, was suspended in October 2024 when the dam’s level dropped to a critical 5.5% of its capacity.

“Recent inflows have since raised the dam’s level to 16.6% as of 13 January 2025, prompting a request from the Hardap Farmers Association to resume irrigation water supplies,” said the statement.

Ndamanomhata said NamWater then conducted an assessment of the dam’s water availability and its potential to meet both irrigation and potable water needs.

The assessment determined that irrigation water could be supplied with a 20% reduction, allowing 80% of arable land to be irrigated until July 2025, while maintaining sufficient potable water for the residents of Mariental, 260 kilometres south of Windhoek, and surrounding communities.

NamWater is scheduled to start loading the irrigation system on Wednesday, to remove air from the network before resuming the water supply to farmers on 20 January 2025.

The utility urged the irrigation farmers to adopt water-efficient agricultural practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources.

“NamWater remains committed to balancing agricultural needs with potable water security, ensuring sustainable development and economic resilience for the Hardap region,” said the statement.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na

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