Allexer Namundjembo
The City of Windhoek has approved a 20-year Integrated Water and Wastewater Master Plan.
The plan was adopted at the last municipal council meeting for the year, held last week.
The move comes as the capital faces rising water shortages and growing climate pressures.
The council said the master plan outlines how it will source, use and manage water over the next two decades, with a focus on securing supply, protecting the environment and upgrading ageing wastewater infrastructure.
Windhoek continues to experience severe water stress.
Dam levels at Von Bach, Omatako and Swakoppoort have dropped sharply in recent years.
In April 2024, NamWater reduced Windhoek’s supply by 35% because of low inflows, placing more pressure on municipal systems.
Records show NamWater now supplies only about 30% of the city’s demand, forcing increased reliance on the New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant and aquifer abstraction.
City spokesperson Lydia Amutenya earlier warned that worsening conditions could push Windhoek deeper into its most severe drought category.
Windhoek is currently under category D restrictions.
These rules limit residents to watering gardens once a week, ban filling swimming pools and require semi-purified water for lawns. Penalty tariffs apply for high household consumption.
To strengthen long-term supply, the city continues to expand its direct potable reuse system at the New Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant, one of the few facilities globally that converts treated wastewater directly into drinking water.
The city also practices managed aquifer recharge, storing excess water underground for later use during droughts.
The African Water Facility Special Fund under the African Development Bank is supporting the new master plan through financial and technical assistance.
“We want to enhance water security, efficiency and resilience for all residents over the coming decades,” the council said.
At the same meeting, the council reviewed 158 applications for municipal rate exemptions from churches, charities and public institutions, rejecting 13 that were submitted late.
A five-year extension of the partnership with the University of Namibia (Unam) was endorsed to strengthen cooperation on research, internships and development projects.
The council also approved a cost-sharing agreement with the Namibia Football Association to upgrade the Sam Nujoma Stadium to CAF and FIFA standards.
Erf 340 in Katutura will be sold to the NFA for N$2.96 million for the development of a technical football centre.
After the regional and local authority elections, new councillors will be sworn in on 3 December 2025, with the first meeting of the new council set for 29 January 2026.
