Justicia Shipena
Seventeen borehole sites across Namibia have been equipped with water softening and treatment systems, improving access to safe drinking water for rural communities.
This is through a programme that rolled out the systems in several regions affected by high groundwater salinity by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
EIF on Tuesday announced that it has completed the four-year programme.
The programme began in January 2023 to address long-standing water quality problems in Namibia’s arid and semi-arid areas. It grew from an EIF-led innovation and pilot project launched in 2022 to respond to persistent water access challenges in rural communities.
During the pilot phase, EIF used its own resources and worked with local engineers to install water softening technologies at three borehole sites in the Erongo region.
Following the success of this phase, EIF spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry allocated N$40 million to support the planning and design of site-specific water treatment solutions.
He said these include reverse osmosis systems and solar-powered borehole pump installations adapted to local conditions.
The 17 boreholes were implemented in two phases. Phase One covered 13 sites in the Karas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions.
Muyunda said phase two focused on four additional sites in the Oshikoto region, where water quality challenges have been severe.
He said each site was fitted with appropriate and sustainable treatment solutions, including solarised pumping systems to lower operating costs and improve reliability.
According to him, sites have since been handed over to the ministry in a functional state. More than 1 000 households are already benefiting from improved water quality for household use, as well as for small-scale farming and livestock in some areas.
The project also focused on building local capacity.
A total of 69 water point committee members and regional officials were trained to operate and maintain reverse osmosis systems, strengthening community ownership and long-term sustainability.
Muyunda said the construction phase created 127 temporary jobs, supporting local livelihoods.
Some sites are still awaiting full commissioning due to outstanding connections and equipment replacements by implementing partners.
Muyunda said the completion of the planning and design phase provides a strong foundation for full operation and for expanding similar projects across the country.
With ongoing water scarcity and climate pressures, he said the need for safe water remains high.
Muyunda said the initiative shows how practical innovation can be scaled to reach rural communities facing water challenges.
