Taxi owners, residents polluting NamWater canal

OSHAKATI, Sept. 25 – Community members in Oshakati expressed concern over taxi drivers who wash their cars on the edge of the canal channeling water to NamWater purification plant in Oshakati.

Namibia Water Corporation’s (NamWater) Manager of Corporate Communications Johannes Shigwedha said there have also been reports of community members washing their cars, clothes, bathing or washing other things in the canal, and this reduces the quality of water which people will drink.

The canal supplies water from Calueque Dam in Angola, then stretches 135 kilometres to the water purification plant in Oshakati in the Oshana region.

“We are aware of this practise and we have often cautioned people through community leaders not to wash theirs cars through the canal,” said Shigwedha.
It was reported last year that people also contaminated the water by washing themselves in it. Some people clean their vehicles at the canal, including trucks which in some cases have transported chemicals.

Shigwedha warned people to refrain from doing this activity (washing in the canal) as its illegal and all illegal activities have legal consequences.
According to Oshana police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thomas Aiyambo, they were never informed to be on the look-out for those that were using the canal as their washing spot.

“We were informed only of those that were fishing and bathing in the canal, but other than that am not aware.”
“We also plead with the community members who observe such irregularities to report them to local authorities in order for these culprits to be dealt with accordingly,” he said. – Maria Abraham