Africa-Press – Namibia. AGING and dilapidated infrastructure is said to be the main cause of current severe water shortages in the Omusati region.
The region’s main water reservoir has dried up, forcing community members to consume dirty and contaminated water from a canal running through the region from Angola.
The Omusati region houses the Olushandja and Etaka dams, which provide all four northern regions with water.
These dams are, however, said to be on the verge of drying up due to a lack of sufficient water inflow.
This is said to be caused by the ongoing drought in neighbouring Angola’s Cunene province.
Aina Enkono, a resident of Outapi, says they have been without water since November last year.
“We have been without water for months now, and the officials seem not to care. Sometimes when you open a water tap, only brownish water comes out.
“We do not know what is going on, but we are being told it’s because the Etaka Dam has dried up and there is no water. Why is only our region experiencing this when we have all the big dams here? Why is Oshakati’s water running smoothly? This is bad, we cannot go on like this,” she says.
Omusati governor Erginus Endjala says the region is experiencing its worst water shortage ever, as all taps in the region have run dry.
“I understand that the current drought in the Cunene province at the moment is the main cause of the low water levels in Namibia.
“There is less flow of water coming from Angola, which is causing our water levels to be low as well. However, aging and old infrastructure is another causes of low water levels in the region.
“The water reservior at Outapi is too old and is causing the water pressure to be very low,” he says.
Endjala says Outapi’s residents are the most affected as the water reservior at the town is currently undergoing maintenance and rehabilitation.
“The number of consumers has increased and has bypassed manpower.
“NamWater is currently busy renovating the reservior at Outapi to increase its volume and pressure.
“They want to make it bigger to be able to supply those in the deep rural areas with enough water.
“Outapi is the most affected. If you try to open a tap, it is dry, because NamWater is now rationing water to all parts of theregion,” he says.
Endjala urges residents to remain calm and patient, while NamWater tries to restore the water situation.
NamWater spokesperson Johannes Shigwedha has issued a notice, saying NamWater officials will be visiting the northern regions to assess the situation.
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