San Antonio, CoW renew MoU on water management
The City of Windhoek (CoW) has renewed its memorandum of understanding (MoU) on water management with San Antonio, Texas.The signing ceremony took place during a visit from San Antonio's mayor, Ron Nirenberg, who led a delegation to Windhoek from 24 to 28 July 2024.
During their visit, Nirenberg and his delegation visited key sites and projects in the capital, including the internationally renowned direct potable reuse plant, the new Goreangab Water Reclamation Plant operated by WINGOC, and the collaborative affordable housing project developed by the City of Windhoek and the National Housing Enterprise.
This partnership, initiated in 2016, has significantly promoted knowledge sharing and cooperation between Windhoek and the San Antonio Water System. Windhoek holds the distinction of being the first African city to sign a sister cities agreement with San Antonio. Beyond water management, Windhoek and San Antonio have collaborated on economic development, renewable energy solutions, staff development programmes, and cultural exchanges.
The visit concluded with a public lecture on water resource management at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), where mayor Nirenberg and Donovan Burton, senior vice-president of the San Antonio Water System, presented on their innovative water resource management and energy initiatives. They shared insights into how these initiatives have improved residents' lives.
Shared challenges
Nirenberg highlighted the shared challenges between San Antonio and Windhoek, stating, "We share a lot of similarities and challenges with Windhoek and the entire country of Namibia. Our water supply encountered sustainability challenges long before our energy utility was established. Drought, the need to protect endangered species, and regional water demand forced policymakers to confront this issue beginning in the late 1980s."
Burton discussed San Antonio's water conservation and supply initiatives, emphasising the role of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) in leading the city's progress.
"Reduced consumption has been crucial as our city grows at a tremendous pace, vastly decreasing the amounts of water that would have been needed if we maintained those habits. However, we know that conservation alone can't meet our city's growing water needs. While it is the least expensive tool to address water demand, we also require additional water sources. We will continue to plan with technology, innovation, and regional partnership," Nirenberg said.
The renewed MoU signifies a strengthened commitment to addressing mutual challenges and leveraging shared expertise for the benefit of both cities' residents.