According to Piet du Pisani, who is the strategic executive for Infrastructure Water Technical Services at the City of Windhoek the realization that water should be re-used is fast gaining momentum.

Following the very successful Water Reuse conference in Windhoek recently it became apparent that waste water is no longer seen as a waste product, but rather as an important and reusable commodity.

“Windhoek is a living example that even the top mode of reuse, potable reuse, is feasible, practical and safe,” said du Pisani during the 9th International Water Association’s (IWA) Conference which was held in Windhoek recently.

The conference brought together close to 400 water experts of whom almost 300 were from abroad. The water experts debated various issues around water reuse and recycling. Namibia is a pioneer in potable water reuse with the Goreangab Reclamation Plant that has been providing drinking water to the growing capital for the past 45 years.

Continues du Pisani, “People were really impressed with Windhoek and what had been achieved here in terms of water management. The local and international Water Community really embraced the conference and our sponsors made it possible for us to present a top class conference,” he added.

With regards to water availability in the City for the next few years, du Pisani said although the situation is not yet critical, water stocks are substantially lower than the same time last year. The past rainy season yielded no inflow into the dams of NamWater.

“The situation is not yet critical, but failure to receive inflow this rainy season, will lead to serious water savings and even possible rationing. The situation is not good,” he said.

To date, Windhoek is still one of the only places in the world where sewage effluent is directly treated into potable water. At the water reuse conference, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Hon. John Mutorwa said the government intends to make mega-investment in the long-term in water infrastructure.

According to Mutorwa, his ministry has also commissioned a study to conduct an Engineering and Environmental assessment of all options for the augmentation of subterranean water for Windhoek and for the Cuvelai drainage is in Owamboland.

Source: Namibia Economist