Bringing safe and portable water to rural communities

A 4-year programme which saw the rolling out of water softening and treatment technologies for borehole sites in several regions across the country has been completed successfully by the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWRLR).

The programme originated as an EIF-led innovation and pilot project in 2022, aimed at responding to longstanding water access challenges affecting rural communities. During the pilot phase, EIF mobilised internal resources and partnered with local engineers to implement water softening technologies at three borehole sites in the Erongo Region. 

Partnership – "Building on the success of this phase, EIF subsequently partnered with MAFWRLR, which allocated a budget of N$40 million to support the planning and design of appropriate, site-specific water treatment solutions. These solutions include reverse osmosis systems and solar-powered borehole pump installations tailored to local environmental conditions," explained Romeo Muyunda, the EIF Corporate Communications Manager.

Seventeen borehole sites were covered under the project and implemented in two phases. Phase One addressed thirteen sites across the ||Kharas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions. Phase Two focused on four additional sites in the Oshikoto Region, which have been severely affected by prolonged water quality challenges. 

Well equipped – The planning and design process ensured that each site was equipped with technically appropriate and sustainable water softening and treatment solutions, including solarised pumping infrastructure to reduce operational costs and enhance long-term reliability. 

According to Muyunda, the sites have been handed over to MAFWRLR in a functional state, providing clean and safe water to surrounding communities. "More than one thousand households are already benefiting from improved water quality for domestic use, as well as for small-scale agriculture and livestock in certain areas," he said. 

Building capacity - Muyunda explained that beyond infrastructure development, the project placed strong emphasis on local capacity building. "Sixty-nine water point committee members and regional officials were trained in the operation and maintenance of reverse osmosis systems, strengthening community ownership and supporting the long-term sustainability of the interventions. In addition, the project created 127 temporary jobs during the construction phase, contributing to improved local livelihoods," he said.

Muyunda added, "While some sites are still awaiting commissioning due to outstanding connections and equipment replacements by implementing partners, the completion of the planning and design phase provides a solid foundation for full operationalisation and the future replication of similar interventions nationwide."