Desalination plant to produce quality outputs

Michelline NawatisesA desalinated seawater bottling unit was inaugurated at the Unam Sam Nujoma Campus, Henties Bay, on 16 October 2020. An olive tree plantation was started too.This seawater desalination pilot plant was installed in 2019 to demonstrate that seawater is a reliable and sustainable source of water when a nation is faced with decreasing water supply from surface and ground sources as a result of poor rainfall patterns caused by climate change.The desalinated plant, which is operated by solar energy, uses reverse osmosis technology to produce potable water at the rate of three cubic metres per hour. The second use is to provide water for human consumption. Apart from human consumption, this water could also be transported by a pipe to a farm and provide drinking water for animals. This bottling unit produces bottled drinking water with an extended shelf life due to ozone treatment. Frank Kavishe, a professor of the University of Namibia’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, mentioned that both the olive tree plantation and the water bottling plant are initiatives of Unam’s Faculty of Engineering and Information and the Sam Nujoma Campus through a project that is cofounded by the UK-based Royal Academy of Engineering.“The entire project has so far cost N$875 000. The financial contribution of the Royal Academy of Engineering to this project amounts to N$525 000 and the balance of N$350 000 was financed by Unam.“The desalination plant and the water bottling unit are relatively small in size as they are pilot projects meant to demonstrate the wide range of possibilities that Namibia has if it could utilise its fast water resources along its coastline that runs for about 1500 km,” Kavishe says.The crop experts of the campus say that the olive trees are expected to bear their first fruits within about two years. “We look forward to the date, not very far from now, when we will see olive oil with a Unam brand in our shops,” he says.Founding president Sam Nujoma said the commissioning of the desalinated water bottling unit and the olive tree plantation was once again evidence of Namibia’s quest to become a major player in green technological advancement aimed at harnessing natural resources at our disposal.He expressed sadness that some of the Bachelor of Science Degree Fisheries and Aquatic Science graduates cannot be absorbed in the market. “My appeal is for employment creation for our graduates in the public and private sectors where their skills could be better utilised,” Nujoma said.

Desalination plant to produce quality outputs

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Republikein 2026-02-04

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Desalination plant to produce quality outputs

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