Major water crisis hit Groot Aub Residents of Groot Aub, a settlement situated about 56km south of Windhoek, still experience water shortages four years on.The problem persists because water levels in the two boreholes have dropped due to lack of rain.
The boreholes belong to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry that works together with the Khomas Regional Council to maintain the boreholes used by about 6 000 people.
Disgruntled residents told Nampa last week that the situation has become a burning issue and a solution must be found.
Henry van Wyk, 51, who resides in the Oshakati informal settlement, said they cannot even use toilets because the water taps are opened sometimes as early as 03:00.
“When nature calls you have to run to the bushes to relieve yourself. This is dangerous for the kids and women,” said an irritated Van Wyk.
Rina Ellitson, 50, resides in one section of Oshakati where she said water only comes after four to five days.
The taps here open between 03:00 and 04:00.
People use dirty water here from the wells they dug, said Ellitson.
“We all know that if you don't have water, you cannot really do anything especially us who have children to take care off,” she said.
Ellitson added that those with cars drive to the boreholes on the other side of the settlement or to Rehoboth, some 50km away, to fill their water containers.
“The situation is not good for the elderly people who have no cars.”
The Constituency Councillor for Windhoek Rural, Penina Inga Ita, said it is not only Groot Aub that has water shortages; “water shortages are experienced countrywide”.
This is because of drought experienced over the past three years.
The politician said the settlement has enough underground water but the challenge is it is used by a lot of people, including private farmers who drilled boreholes illegally.
-Nampa
PETER MURONGA