Facelift for Gammams reticulation plant
The Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises and Germany’s KfW Development Bank late last year signed an agreement for a concessional loan of just over N$1 billion (approximately €50 million) for the financing of the rehabilitation and extension of the Gammams and Otjomuise Wastewater Treatment Plants.The aim is to upgrade the existing wastewater treatment capacities and improve Windhoek’s potable water supply by providing feedwater for the city’s direct potable reclamation plants.
As the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, with more than 80% of its land area covered by desert or semi-desert, Namibia regularly experiences extreme and prolonged periods of drought. This results in a highly sensitive water supply situation for the whole country especially the central areas, which requires precise demand management, management and reuse of existing water resources as well as urgent development of new ones.
As the water supply situation for Windhoek is becoming increasingly precarious, securing drinking water for Windhoek remains one of the most crucial issues facing the City. The financing of the rehabilitation and extension of the Gammams and Otjomuise Wastewater Treatment Plants is therefore in line with the long-term strategies identified by the City of Windhoek and the Namibian government with regard to ensuring the supply and most efficient use of water for its citizens.
Improved capacity
Once the project is completed, the capacity of the two plants will be improved both in terms of operational capacity and but also with regard to effluent quality. This is intended to safeguard the provision of additional feedwater for a second Direct Potable Reclamation plant (DPR 2) which will contribute to the water supply security of Windhoek as well as help protect water resources in the entire Central Area of Namibia.
DPR 2 is also financed by the German government through KfW and will be implemented at the same time as upgrade works are carried out for the wastewater treatment plants.
For both projects, KfW is supporting the Namibian government with concessional loans in local currency. Windhoek’s population is the direct beneficiaries of these investments in the City’s water infrastructure.
The measures will allow the capital to adapt to the effects of climate change and improve the resilience of the city’s water supply. They address the high investment needs with regard to the rehabilitation of existing infrastructure as well as investments into new infrastructure to ensure a long-term and sustainable water supply.
In addition, the City of Windhoek continuously strives to create public awareness about the importance of saving water and reducing consumption.
To complement this, the City will also pilot a project aimed at reducing water losses throughout the City’s water network. This will be funded by German Development Cooperation, through KfW, in the form of a grant to the value of N$30 million.