NamWater’s latest dam bulletin, published yesterday, paints a concerning picture for Windhoek’s water supply. The three primary dams upon which the city heavily relies – Swakoppoort, Von Bach, and Omatako – currently hold a mere 33.2 million cubic meters of water. This figure starkly contrasts with the combined volume of 68.9 million cubic meters recorded just a year ago.
Presently, the three dams are at a worrisome 21.5% of their total capacity, significantly below the 44.6% mark they stood at last year. The situation is further compounded by the status of the Hardap Dam near Mariental, crucial for irrigation purposes, which now stores only 15.7% of its capacity, down from approximately 46% recorded at the same period last year.
In response to dwindling water levels, the City of Windhoek initiated water usage restrictions last May, with a targeted saving of 10% below normal consumption levels. However, recent data reveals that residents have surpassed this target, consuming 10% more water than stipulated.
The latest dam readings provided by NamWater yesterday, alongside comparative figures from a year ago, underscore the severity of the situation:
- Swakoppoort: 42.4% (previously 80.4%)
- Von Bach: 12.3% (previously 32.5%)
- Omatako: 1.1% (previously 5.6%)
- Hardap: 15.7% (previously 46%)
- Neckartal: 85% (previously 94.8%)
- Naute: 43.2% (previously 71.8%)
- Oanob: 45% (previously 65%)
- Otjivero Main: 5% (previously 19.3%)
- Otjivero Silt: Empty (previously 0.9%)
- Tilda Viljoen: 13% (previously 32%)
- Daan Viljoen: 6.7% (previously 25.4%)
- Olushandja: 43.4% (previously 14.8%)
- Friedenau: 57% (previously 75.7%)
With reservoirs dwindling to critical levels, urgent measures are imperative to mitigate the impending water crisis in Windhoek.
