WINDHOEK, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian government has approved the construction of the second desalination plant in the Erongo region, in response to rising water demands, a government official said Wednesday.
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein announced the decision in a statement during a land development conference in the coastal town of Henties Bay, in the Erongo Region of western Namibia.
Schlettwein highlighted the critical role of water supply infrastructure managed by NamWater, a state-owned enterprise, in ensuring a secure and sustainable water source for communities.
Currently, the region relies on groundwater aquifers from the Omaruru Delta and Kuiseb Delta, alongside desalinated water from the Orano desalination plant, interconnected by a network of pump stations, pipelines, and reservoirs.
"We have however by now reached the ceiling of sustainable supply from these three resources which currently stands at just shy of 30 million cubic meters per year," he explained.
Schlettwein said the ambitious development plans of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, coupled with increased mining activities, industrial demand, and agriculture and food production, have collectively exceeded the capacity of these sources.
"As a result, approval has been granted for the construction of a second desalination plant with a capacity of approximately 20 million cubic meters," he disclosed.
Construction of the new plant is scheduled to commence in January 2025, with completion expected by early 2027, pending successful implementation, he said, adding that this initiative aims to bolster Namibia's water resilience, ensuring adequate supply to support economic growth and community needs. ■
