NamWater warns against building on water pipelines, citing safety and access risks

National water utility company NamWater has warned communities in the northern regions not to construct houses on top of water pipelines.

NamWater chief engineer Saltiel Shaanika said this during a tour of the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime bulk water rehabilitation project at Ondangwa on Tuesday.

He said the company has noted that many people in the northern areas have built on or near water pipelines, and warned that it is dangerous to do so.

“If the pipe bursts, it becomes difficult to access the damage and it also disrupts the supply of water to the community. Building on top of the water pipelines also damages property, and sometimes may even require destroying the entire property to fix the leakage,” he said.

He highlighted that houses have been built on top of water supply pipelines in a number of informal and formal settlements, making it difficult for engineers and maintenance workers to access the pipelines.

Shaanika emphasised that unauthorised water supply connections are dangerous due to high water pressure in the pipes, and called for people to stop this practice.

“It affects the supply of water to downstream end users in the supply chain,” said Shaanika.

NamWater is currently working on the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline replacement project, which marks the beginning of the first phase of a critical 17-kilometre stretch from Ondangwa to Oshali.

The Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime bulk water supply scheme, which is also known as the South East scheme, is a vital lifeline for the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.

The project is fully funded by NamWater to the value of N$91 million, and is expected to be completed within 12 months.