Namibia’s capital city threatens water rationing as supplies run dry

   WINDHOEK, Nov. 19  -- Namibia's capital city Windhoek threatened Tuesday to start rationing water if residents continue to exceed agreed weekly water usage targets. 
   An estimated 400,000 people living in Windhoek exceeded the weekly target by 10 pct.
   "Continuously exceeding our target is not sustainable. If we keep on exceeding our target, possible water rationing may be our future," the city's communication department said in a statement. 
   The Southwest African nation is a semi-arid country, with the lowest average rainfall in the Southern Africa region and frequent occurrences of drought. 
   The city said water rationing will kick in once it declares a water crisis.
   No outdoor watering will be allowed and indoor water use will be restricted once the severe water restrictions are introduced. 
   "Water crisis restrictions will affect the quality of life in the City of Windhoek's service area, including the long-term damage or loss of landscapes," the city further said. 
   The City of Windhoek introduced water restrictions since July 1, 2019.
   Under the current restrictions, only certified, commercial car washing is allowed with 30 liters of water per vehicle only. Residential swimming pools are to be covered and no filling with potable water is allowed, among other restrictions. 
   The three main dams supplying water to Namibia's central areas including Windhoek are currently 13.2 percent of full capacity compared to 24 percent last year this time.  Xinhua