With Hardap Dam’s water level now at 22.1%, there is some hope for the town’s water supply, Mariental Mayor Cherien Kock expressed on Wednesday.
According to the dam bulletin released on Monday by Namwater, Hardap Dam is currently at 22.1% of its capacity.
“I can only express heartfelt gratitude, happiness, joy, and confidence for the recent water level because this water plays a vital role in sustaining our community,” Kock expressed during an interview with Nampa.
“On behalf of the community of Mariental, we are really appreciative of the increased water levels in the dam. During the time when the water level was very low, the cloud of drought was upon us; we felt helpless and unable to see a path forward, and now this news brings hope. We are praying for more rain and more inflow of water, and now farmers can continue with their farming operations, and hopefully, we won’t have the same water issues we experienced last year here,” said Kock.
According to the dam bulletin, the water level was at 14.8% a week ago, and now it has increased to 22.1% due to the inflow of water following good rains.
Nampa spoke to some community members of Mariental, who expressed relief and optimism about the current percentage of the dam water level.
Maria Boois, a local entrepreneur, shared how the town’s agricultural sector would benefit from the available water.
“We, as the community of Mariental, are elated about the current status of the Hardap Dam, as it plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, especially in the agriculture sector. Last year the irrigation water supply tap was cut, and it was a struggle for the farmers. Many people lost their jobs, but now the farmers can carry on their farming activities, and people can also start fishing,” Boois stated.
Another community member, Eltrute Muchuana, added that the latest water level brought renewed hope.
“We experienced terrible drought last year in the region, and now this news gives hope, and all that the people in the Hardap Region can do, especially the inhabitants of Mariental, is to pray for more rain,” stated Muchuana.