Windhoek: The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) has reported a significant rise in outstanding water debt, which reached N.dollars 2.8 billion as of 30 November 2025, marking an increase of N.dollars 387 million.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this increase represents a 15.89 per cent rise from the N.dollars 2.4 billion recorded in February 2025, highlighting growing payment difficulties that jeopardise the sustainability of Namibia’s bulk water supply and pose a serious risk to national water security.

In a statement released on Wednesday, NamWater emphasised that while water is a vital service, its treatment, storage, conveyance, and distribution require substantial and ongoing financial resources. ‘Persistent non-payment directly undermines the corporation’s ability to operate, maintain ageing infrastructure, and expand services to underserved communities,’ the statement reads.

According to NamWater, this causes a threat to water infrastructure. The corporation said with no tariff adjustments implemented over the past five years, rising operational costs and growing arrears constrain NamWater’s ability to maintain and upgrade critical infrastructure, placing reliable supply at risk.

The national water utility indicated that although Namibia has reached commendable levels of water access, further expansion, especially in remote and rural areas, necessitates ongoing investment. It added that rising debt restricts the corporation’s ability to provide services to the communities that require them the most.

Furthermore, NamWater urged local authorities, government institutions, industries, and all consumers to promptly settle outstanding accounts or establish structured payment plans.

As of 30 November 2025, town councils account for 32.8 per cent, which amounts to N.dollars 926.9 million, the highest total. This is followed by rural water communities with a debt of N.dollars 783 million (27.7 per cent).

Private consumers owe NamWater N.dollars 342.5 million (12.1 per cent), and municipalities represent 9 per cent totalling N.dollars 253.6 million. Mines owe N.dollars 166 million (5.9 per cent), while village councils account for N.dollars 169.8 million, which is 6 per cent of the total debt owed to NamWater.

Regional councils owe the water entity N.dollars 81.7 million (2.9 per cent), industries owe N.dollars 45.1 million (1.6 per cent), and irrigation owes N.dollars 21.7 million (0.8 per cent).

The arrears of ministries stand at N.dollars 21.8 million (0.8 per cent), while other recorded small bills total N.dollars 12.1 million, translating to 0.4 per cent.