Farmers still without water

The canal that transports water from the old Berg Aukas mine to the Omatakodam has been dry since 5 January, and many farmers along the canal are frustrated.

Peter Mutschler says NamWater informed him that it was due to a technical problem.

"They did not provide any further information or say when the water would return. I am not entirely dependent on the water like other farmers because I have a borehole. I also use NamWater, but for now, I am okay," he said.

Not a drop

He explained that years ago, NamWater drilled several boreholes in the mountains at Uitkoms and pumped that water into the canal.

"Then they led a pipeline to Berg Aukas, and now they pump the water from the old mine. Farmers can use the water according to an agreement with them. There is a point of supply with a water meter where they get water, and then they pay for the water."

Another farmer, Petrus Ndume, is entirely dependent on the canal's water.

"I farm with cattle, sheep and goats, and last Friday, we were running around like crazy when the water dried up. My cousin is a big shot at the military base, and he provided us with a tank of water. NamWater delivered a 500-litre tank of water here on Wednesday," Ndume said.

He said there are two pumps at Berg Aukas, one of which broke last year.

"NamWater never repaired it, and now the other one has also broken. Now they have two broken pumps, and we are without water."

No communication

Farmer Piet Smit transports water for his animals from Grootfontein on a daily basis.

"We don't have a lot of animals, but it still hits our pockets. Now we have to buy municipal water, the tanks to transport the water, and, of course, the fuel."

He also mentioned that he receives no feedback or information from NamWater.

"We call and call, and they don't even answer their phones. For farmers, it's a disaster, especially for those who are entirely dependent on canal water and are in communal areas."

Smit is the chairman of the Upper Swakop Basin Management Committee, which also oversees water supply to Windhoek.

"One of the short-term projects was to increase the water volume from Berg Aukas and Abenab to supply more water to Windhoek.

"Now the canal is bone dry, and from what I've heard, the pumps were never even installed, and nobody is saying anything. So even the short-term plan that was supposed to address Windhoek's water crisis has not been implemented."

Sam Kriel, who primarily has horses on his farm, is also entirely dependent on the canal.

"I fetch water from the town for my horses and my workers. The horses drink 1 000 litres a day, so I keep fetching."

NamWater has not responded to inquiries as of press time.

Hardap

From the south, Dawie de Klerk, the chairman of the Hardap Farmers' Association, confirmed that the Hardap Dam is currently 18.9% full.

"This means all farmers can irrigate at full capacity until the end of March – that is, at 100% capacity. By then, the dam should have about 6% water left, which is enough water for several years for the town and everyone in the area. This is only if there is no inflow during the rainy season. Our rainy season is still ahead – it starts in the last week of January and lasts until April."

According to him, it has never happened in history that the dam had no inflow for two consecutive years.

"It will be the first time because last year it did not receive water, so I am confident that the dam will receive water this year."

He says everyone is concerned, and it's not just about the dam; it's about the entire country.

"If this country doesn't receive rain this year, it will be an astronomical disaster – not just for Hardap but nationwide. For now, however, there is no problem."

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