Walvis water situation ‘at boiling point’

WATER SOURCE … Several water tanks were stationed at Langstrand recently, after nearly two weeks of the suburb being without water. Photo: Adam Hartman

The water security situation at Walvis Bay has escalated to a matter of grave concern over the years, warns the Walvis Bay Joint Residents’ Association (WBJRA).

The harbour town, historically abundant in water resources, has grown heavily reliant on the Kuiseb Delta and the Dorob South aquifers.

Walvis Bay councillor Ronald Bramwell, representing the WBJRA, told The Namibian these essential resources have been “left on the back burner” and have been “overlooked for a long time”.

Bramwell’s comments come in the wake of severe water shortages experienced by coastal suburbs last month, due to technical issues which left them without water for approximately two weeks.

His frustration stems from a 29-year observation period, from 1991 to 2020, during which the water resource issue was continually overlooked, despite numerous studies and recommendations.

One notable concern raised by Bramwell is the growing water demand from local uranium mines. These mines are the biggest consumers of water, he said referencing the 2021 NamWater integrated report which found that their water consumption already far exceeds the sustainable limit of the Kuiseb aquifer.

While the Orano desalination plant, commissioned in 2010, has alleviated some water supply issues, it has come at a significant cost.
Bramwell criticised the decision to shelve a feasibility study for a desalination plant at the Rössing mine.

“Would you encourage your best customer to build a desalination plant for themselves and lose all that revenue?”

Bramwell also questioned NamWater’s plans to increase water abstraction from the Kuiseb aquifers by drilling additional boreholes.

“Why would you want to drill more boreholes if the current rate of abstraction is already above the sustainable level?”

Walvis Bay’s water situation is further complicated by the city’s dependence on electricity from South Africa, which can disrupt the water supply from the Kuiseb and Dorob aquifers, leaving the reservoirs empty. Citing possible shutdowns of the desalinisation plant due to factors such as sulfur or red tide, Bramwell warned of a looming disaster due to insufficient planning.

He emphasised the need to restore the small power station at Rooibank to full operational status to manage emergencies and ensure a stable water supply.

He also underscored the urgency of the government prioritising the building of more desalination plants, referring to NamWater’s completed government-owned desalination study currently under Cabinet review.

In response to these concerns, Walvis Bay municipality spokesperson Anita Kaihiva assured The Namibian that the municipality was aware of the town’s water challenges and had prioritised finding sustainable solutions to enhance water security.

Kaihiva said the council had engaged public-private partnerships (PPP) and had already approached the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development in May 2022 seeking endorsement for PPP projects under the Public Private Partnerships Act and the Local Authorities Act, section 34(1). These proposed projects include a pilot solar seawater desalination plant and a new wastewater treatment plant with advanced reuse capacity.

The urban and rural development ministry responded favourably to this proposal. Additionally, the council had approved applications from several entities in the fishing industry to develop their own desalination plants, she noted.

“Although the realisation of the intended projects may take some time to materialise due to the complexity and careful execution needed, council reassures the residents that we are prioritising the water security matter and consulting relevant stakeholders in this regard,” she said.

When approached for comment, water ministry spokesperson Jona Musheko referred The Namibian to comments made by minister Calle Schlettwein at last week’s meeting with both the outgoing and newly appointed members of the NamWater board.

In his statement, Schlettwein acknowledged the significant role NamWater plays in the region, and the urgency of improving water supply and management systems.

He affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing desalination capacity along the central coast, with the implementation of the SS1 Desalination Plant, which is expected to provide a sustainable water supply for coastal users highlighted as a critical step forward.

The new plant is expected to work in collaboration with the mines, which are the largest consumers of desalinated water.

“The plant will gradually introduce desalinated water to local authorities, considering the dwindling water resources and associated costs,” said Schlettwein.

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