Rundu could face a return to a water rationing system if its outstanding debt of over N$300 million to the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) was not settled or if remedial suggestions were not provided by 28 February 2025.

NamWater Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Abraham Nehemia stated this in a letter seen by Nampa and addressed to the CEO of the Rundu Town Council (RTC), Olavi Nathanael, on 18 February 2025.

“This serves as a final reminder that your payment in the amount of N$333,926,128.70 is overdue. Letters notifying the council of this delinquent status were sent on numerous occasions. To date, we have not received payment and/or an acceptable payment proposal,” Nehemia said in the letter.

In response, Nathanael urged residents not to panic, assuring them that NamWater’s actions were procedural.

“We are moving to prepaid in the interest of sorting out that debt, which NamWater is party to. To this end, they are busy with a tripartite agreement that includes ourselves, NamWater, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform,” Nathanael said.
He explained that the debt had been ring-fenced, adding that the council had already begun rolling out the installation of prepaid water meters to collect money in real time.

Nathanael further said the prepaid water meters have a debt recovery procedure attached, where 30% of clients’ funds are allocated to settling outstanding debt, while the remaining 70% goes towards their water consumption.

Meanwhile, Nathanael noted that all local authorities indebted to NamWater are currently in Windhoek for an urgent meeting regarding their outstanding water bills.