In cooperation with the German KfW Development Bank, a feasibility study was commissioned to provide recommendations on long-term solutions for the water supply to the central coast and central area of Namibia, including Windhoek as well as en route users. As the driest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia faces unique challenges with regard to its water resources.

Windhoek, as well as the coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund are under pressure to meet the increasing water supply demands at a time when water resources are becoming ever more unreliable and prolonged exploitation of existing resources is not sustainable. The German government is supporting Namibia in its exploration of opportunities for the desalination of seawater as a reliable and sustainable source of drinking water.

On 29 and 30 January, the concept workshop for the desalination feasibility study was held in Windhoek, marking the progress of the study to date and bringing together all stakeholders in order to evaluate the preliminary findings as well as to guide the study to its successful conclusion.

Long-term sustainable water supply

The desalination feasibility study is in the process of carrying out a detailed analysis of the projected water demand in the coastal and central region and will develop a proposal for, among other things, the proposed corresponding desalination option, water transfer system and power infrastructure required. Additionally, the study will provide a comparison of the desalination option for the CAN area with the possibility of sourcing water from the Okavango – a possibility already examined by the Namibian government.

The outcome of the concept workshop will guide the work for the remainder of the study and will conclude with a final workshop before the study is finalised. The final results of the feasibility study are expected before the end of 2020.