usaid/nambia environmental threats and opportunities assessment

Part of the problem lies in the long period in which water legislation has been in limbo, with the IWRM
Plan being in formulation for over three years and the Water Resources Management Act not
promulgated so there has been a legislative gap for many years.
MAJOR THREAT 3. LINKS BETWEEN WATER SUPPLY, ACTIVITIES ON LAND, AND ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS ARE NOT ADEQUATELY CONSIDERED
The reservation of water to provide for ecological requirements is not adequately considered in the
provision of water. For example, water abstraction for government-led Green Scheme irrigation projects
is assumed without environmental assessments (notably on the Okavango and Orange Rivers). Also,
return flows of contaminated waters (from fertilizers, pesticides) is not monitored or regulated.
Many farming activities on land affect the quality and quantity of water that becomes available for use.
Uses of land that results in overgrazing and soil erosion cause increased siltation into dams. Also,
contamination of boreholes from livestock is common, particularly nitrate pollution from cattle kraals.
Water supply and pricing for mining operations in the Erongo Region from NAMWATER currently
favors the extraction from underground aquifers rather than the development of desalination plants.
This regulatory scheme is likely to threaten municipal water supply to Namibia’s growing coastal
settlements in future decades.
MAJOR THREAT 4. POLLUTION
There is a significant threat to water resources from polluting human activities, including sanitation,
medical waste, mining, and industry.
Most of the country’s wastewater treatment plants are overloaded and there are major blockages in
sanitation, both in rural and urban areas (IWRM 2010). The high rate of urbanization has created a
major strain on the capacity to treat wastewater to an acceptable standard. Microbiological hazards are
not monitored in most water distribution systems, so preventative management is not likely.
Development of water safety plans, including warning and consultation with consumers if water does
not comply with basic health parameters, is needed to avoid outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
While waste pollution is a growing (both in abundance and complexity) global problem, Namibia’s very
low industrial activity means that, although it has accumulating problem with litter (particularly plastic
waste) – especially in and around the urban centers – it has (comparatively) low levels of dangerous
chemical pollution. Medical waste was identified as a problem in all towns as long ago as 1996 [ Tarr, J.
(1997). Desktop survey on waste management in Namibia 1996-1997.
Groundwater contamination can result from toxic substances and radioactivity that are involved in
mining and their chemical treatment plants. Namibia has many abandoned mines that are causing
contamination, such as lead around Tsumeb, and copper around Oamites and Otjihase, while there are
also concerns about existing mines e.g. arsenic in the wastewater runoff from Rosh Pinah lead-zinc.
Without proper controls and law enforcement of pollution legislation, these practices are still continuing.
MAJOR THREAT 5. POLITICAL DECISIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS CONSISTENT WITH POLICY
DIRECTIVES
Water is a political issue. The issue of payment for water frequently comes up, and politicians (especially
in the run-up to elections) are known to make statements which directly contradict government policy.
Thus, expectations are raised, yet it is not in the interest of sustainable development that water be
provided randomly.
USAID/NAMIBIA ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT 59