Rundu water woes continue

Rundu water woes continue Despite a government/NamWater deal to supply uninterrupted water to about 90 000 residents at Rundu for the next three months, some areas are still experiencing problems.

Several residents expressed their concern to Namibian Sun regarding water taps either operating at a low pressure or without water for several hours a day.

Rundu's water problems made headlines recently after the town could not pay its NamWater arrears.

The town was without water four days, forcing a stampede to the Okavango River, where residents obtained water.

The Rundu town council owes NamWater about N$60 million

However, about two weeks ago government intervened and N$2 million was paid to NamWater by the urban and rural development ministry.

Apart from the bailout, it was also agreed that NamWater would supply water to Rundu for over three months, without the council paying. The agreement also entailed that council would be expected to ring-fence its water bill to ensure that the monies paid are strictly used to pay NamWater, and not for operational costs, as was the case before.

It is therefore puzzling that some residents are complaining about water trickling from taps or that the supply is not forthcoming for hours a day.

A Millennium Park resident, who opted to speak on condition of anonymity, expressed her disappointment, saying the water situation has not changed much.

“We have water early in the mornings but in the afternoon around 12:00 and 13:00 and late at night there is no water. This cannot be the case because we don't receive warnings that water might not be running during some periods of the day,” she said.

Another resident told Namibian Sun he expected the situation to be better for the next three months.

“We are back to the days when you approach a tap hoping that water is going to run. I just hope that NamWater and the Rundu town council look into the matter and rectify it,” he said.

Town council acting CEO Sikongo Haihambo said the water should be running all day long, without any interruptions.

“In as far as we are concerned all areas should have water 24/7. We paid NamWater,” Haihambo said.

“What we know is that we paid NamWater and we have been put on the post-paid (system). All areas are expected to get water, but if there is low pressure; maybe it can be looked at and established what exactly the problem is, and see if we can address it on our side or on the side of NamWater. I think it requires a bit of monitoring.”

KENYA KAMBOWE