AB InBev Namibia says it has invested N$2.1 million towards the commissioning of a water storage plant in Okahandja’s Eshetu Number 2 area.
The project, done in collaboration with the Municipality of Okahandja, will increase the current production and supply of water to the town’s informal settlements by 30%.
Ab InBev’s acting Plant Manager Bernd Pfander said the project will address water scarcity in the region and ensure improved water access and security for residents from municipal reticulation systems and stable water pressure and water flow stability.
“Phase 2, which we are commissioning today, is focused on addressing the low water pressure experienced by the community, and ultimately bringing water closer to the community. We will be boosting the pressure in the existing network through the booster station we set up, which has a rated flow of 72 cubic metres per hour and a maximum head of 43.1m head,” said Pfander.
He added that the project would also see residents paying 30% less in water tariffs.
“Reducing water tariffs, a social benefit arising from this project, holds immense significance for the residents of Okahandja,” he said.
Pfander said the water storage plant is phase 2 of the company’s N$4 million water stewardship project which consists of a water extraction and treatment plant constructed last year for N$1.7 million.
The project strategically utilises identified boreholes owned by the Municipality and a water storage facility positioned in proximity to the low-income community of Vergenoeg.
The boreholes, in conjunction with the reservoir, will be integrated into the existing reticulation system.
“The project consists of 2 phases, phase 1 which was commissioned in December 2023, encompasses a water extraction plant which we anticipate feeds an additional minimum capacity of 13-15 cubic metres per hour into the existing water supply system of the municipality, which means we can produce 15 flow bins of water in 1 hour,” he said.
