WINDHOEK, Feb 7 — The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, has unveiled a groundbreaking pilot project aimed at modernizing the country’s water supply system to address long-standing challenges in water management. The Okashandja-Olweege Branchline Pilot Project initiative was unveiled Wednesday during a stakeholder engagement session in Ondangwa of the Oshana Region in northern Namibia. Abraham Nehemia, chief executive officer of NamWater, highlighted the historical challenges in water supply management. “Water supply in northwestern Namibia has evolved significantly, but challenges such as non-payment, inefficient billing, and infrastructure constraints persist,” he said. According to Nehemia, the pilot project aims to integrate smart technologies to improve service delivery, ensure financial sustainability, and promote responsible water use. Namibia‘s water sector faces increasing pressure due to climate change, droughts, and aging infrastructure, he said. The six-month Okashandja-Olweege Branchline Pilot Project will have several key initiatives for implementation, including the deployment of smart metering technology for real-time water usage monitoring, the introduction of automated billing systems to enhance accuracy and efficiency, infrastructure upgrades encompassing pipe repair and leak detection, and the establishment of digital payment platforms offering both prepaid and post-paid options. Elia Irimari, governor of the Oshana Region, welcomed the initiative and commended NamWater for its proactive leadership. “Water is the foundation of development, and access to clean, reliable supply is a fundamental right. By integrating smart water metering and digital innovations, this pilot project can set a new standard for Namibia‘s water sector,” he said. Meanwhile, the pilot project will serve as a test case to assess the feasibility and impact of optimizing the retail water supply process. Upon successful completion of the project, NamWater will develop a full-scale implementation strategy to extend these solutions to other regions across Namibia.
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