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Windhoek. — Residents of the Namibian capital Windhoek have been urged to save at least 10 percent of their water due to a poor rainy season and low dam levels, the municipality announced yesterday.

“The level of the three dams supplying the central areas with water are very low, rating between 1.2 and 36 percent, and dams will run dry by the middle of 2016, if rainfalls remain poor,” said municipal spokesperson Joshua Amukugo.

“We appeal to all residents of Windhoek to save at least 10 percent water at all times, whether at home, at schools or at offices. We are facing a critical stage that could turn disastrous if not handled with caution.”

“The municipal boreholes and its water reclamation plant supply about 35 percent of water requirements.

“However, the boreholes and the reclamation plant cannot sustain Windhoek without the additional 65 percent of water supplied by the [State] utility NamWater. If the dams do not receive sufficient inflows, severe restrictions need to be enforced,” Amukugo cautioned. Rains in central Namibia are usually received between October to April, but rainfalls have been below average this season.

“We still hope that more rain will fall until the end of April to replenish dam levels,” said Amukugo.

Windhoek has approximately 350 000 residents but faces service delivery challenges due to the growth of informal settlements at the outskirts of the city.

According to the municipality, approximately 500 to 600 people move to Windhoek every month and erect shacks and then require sanitation, running water and electricity supply. — Sapa.