The DRFN is the Adaptation Fund's (AF), national implementing entity (NIE) since been accredited in 2013. The DRFN has thus been able to secure funding for a project to pilot rural desalination plants using renewable power and membrane technology. The aim of the proposed project is thus to pilot the treatment by reverse osmosis (RO) of poor quality local groundwater to a level that complies with the national standards for drinking water, using sun and wind energy to power the process.The two selected project sites are at Grünau settlement and at Bethanie village, both located in the far south of the country and this projected will be executed by NamWater as the executing entity (EE).
The proposed project has the following 3 overall or main objectives:
Objective 2: Positively impact the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities at the two project sites, by supplying good quality water, raising awareness of the effects of climate change, promoting judicious use of water and explaining the need for water tariffs.
Objective 3: Communicate the acquired knowledge and skills to stakeholders in the water supply sector and thereby promote the mainstreaming of such small-scale desalination technology and systems in the country
To formally commence project activities, a project inception meeting was held in Windhoek on 16-17 July 2018. This meeting brought together the key stakeholders in the project which included the Honorable Councillors from both Bethanie and Grünau, the project steering committee members which is comprised from personnel from DRFN, NamWater, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the Ministry of Mines and Energy; to discuss these project objectives and how these can be attained.
The project inception, officially marks the start of the project which will continue for the next four years.
