Niël Terblanché
Stakeholders in Namibia’s water sector have agreed on measures to guide water supply planning for the Central Area of Namibia (CAN) following a workshop hosted by NamWater.
Participants were briefed on the current status of the region’s primary water sources, including the Swakoppoort, Von Bach, and Omatako dams, as well as the operations of the Windhoek Goreangab Operating Company (WINGOC).
The workshop concluded with an agreement to maintain potable water reclamation from WINGOC at 5.84 million cubic metres per year and continue abstraction of groundwater from the City of Windhoek at 0.5 million cubic metres annually.
A Managed Aquifer Recharge of 2.5 million cubic metres into the Windhoek Aquifer will also proceed. Emergency transfers from the Karst Area to the Von Bach Dam were ruled out, and no water demand management restrictions will be imposed at this stage.
Opening the session, NamWater’s chief executive officer, Abraham Nehemia, welcomed the positive effects of the 2024/2025 rainy season, which replenished key water sources, supported natural ecosystems, and benefited agriculture.
He also warned against complacency.
“The rains have given us a moment of relief, but history shows that dry seasons usually follow good rains. This workshop is critical to ensure we prepare adequately and manage our resources wisely,” he said.
Collectively, the water reserves in this system are expected to meet the needs of the region for at least two rainy seasons.
Looking ahead, dam inflows will be reassessed in May 2026 to guide further planning.
Nehemia closed the workshop by thanking participants for their contributions and reaffirmed NamWater’s commitment to a science-based and cooperative approach.
“Your contributions have enriched our approach and ensured that our strategies are grounded in both science and shared responsibility. Let’s maintain this momentum,” he said.
Nehemia reiterated NamWater’s focus on ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply for the country’s central region and beyond.
The workshop, held at NamWater’s Head Office in Windhoek recently, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, the City of Windhoek, and other regional and local authorities to assess current water availability and agree on a forward-looking management strategy.
