Namibia has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national water security efforts with the first Steering Committee meeting of the WaReNam (Water Reuse Namibia) initiative, held on May 9th 2025 at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) in Windhoek.
Chaired by MAFWLR Director of Water Resources Management, Maria Amakali, the session aimed to foster inter-ministerial coordination and launch collaborative efforts to draft a national water reuse strategy. The meeting served as a platform for institutions to share how water reuse aligns with their mandates – from health and infrastructure to justice and environmental protection – while highlighting sector-specific challenges and opportunities. Participants also explored the legal and policy implications of elevating water reuse to a national priority. There was strong agreement that treated wastewater should be recognized as a valuable resource, particularly in the face of growing demand and Namibia’s vulnerability to water scarcity.
An overview of the WaReNam project was presented by Martin Zimmermann (ISOE), while ministry representatives emphasized the need for a formal policy – rather than just a strategy – to ensure long-term sustainability and legal backing. The Ministry of Justice proposed reviewing existing laws and seeking advice from the Attorney General, while the Ministry of Works stressed the need for better technical standards and artisan training in water reuse infrastructure. The National Planning Commission supported the alignment of the initiative with national frameworks and recommended exploring ISO or Namibia Standards Institute options.
The Steering Committee agreed on several key outcomes: meetings will now be held quarterly, alternating between online and in-person formats; three task forces will be established to drive legal review, risk management, and strategy development; and broader institutional representation will be ensured, including potential involvement from NamWater and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2025, where task force formation will be finalized.
In closing, Amakali thanked participants for their active engagement, calling the meeting “a significant step forward” in securing Namibia’s water future through inclusive and sustainable reuse planning.