NamWater turns to digital technology to improve water supply

Max Henrich

ONGWEDIVA- The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) is turning to digital technology to reduce water losses, improve billing and strengthen the reliability of water supply amid ageing infrastructure and mounting unpaid customer bills.

NamWater’s Manager of Maintenance for the Business Unit NorthWest, Hosea Hashili, said this at the 9th National ICT Summit in Ongwediva earlier this week, where he presented on “Digital Water: Leveraging ICT for Reliability, Inclusion and Growth”.

Hashili said that Namibia has developed the capacity to supply 316 million cubic metres of water annually, exceeding current demand of 194 million cubic metres. However, maintaining reliable and affordable supply remains a challenge.

He identified water losses, unpaid bills and ageing infrastructure as major pressures on the utility, noting that approximately one in every 10 litres supplied is not billed because of leaks, pipe bursts and meter errors.

“By March 2025, customers owed NamWater about N$2.5 billion, money needed to maintain and expand water infrastructure,” he said.

Hashili said that digital solutions could help address these challenges through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, smart meters, digital payment platforms and data-driven maintenance.

“SCADA technology enables central monitoring and control of reservoirs, pipelines, pumping stations and treatment plants, helping the corporation identify problems and improve the consistency of water supply,” he said.

He said that smart metering and digital payment systems could improve billing accuracy and make payments more convenient for customers. NamWater signed a cooperation agreement with MTC in November 2024 to support digital payment channels, smart metering, connectivity and cloud services.

The corporation is also using data to support preventative and predictive maintenance, allowing it to identify potential infrastructure failures and undertake repairs before major breakdowns occur.

“NamWater invested N$23.4 million in technology and innovation during the 2024/25 financial year, against a target of N$25 million,” he said.

He added that digital transformation must also support skills development, rural access and accountability, with information and communication technology playing a role in inclusive and sustainable growth.

Hashili called for stronger collaboration with the ICT sector to extend connectivity and Internet of Things networks to rural water supply points, develop affordable and compatible metering and payment systems, and strengthen local expertise in data, operational technology and cybersecurity.

“Water security and digital technology were inseparable in supporting Namibia’s development,” he said.

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