NamWater dismisses false claims over Swakopmund tap water safety

NamWater has officially refuted social media rumors claiming that tap water in Swakopmund is contaminated with Shigella bacteria. The utility confirmed that water quality remains high and announced significant infrastructure investments to improve supply resilience.
Why it matters
Public health misinformation can cause unnecessary panic and damage trust in essential utility services, making official verification critical.
NAMWATER has strongly rejected false claims circulating on social media alleging that Swakopmund’s tap water is contaminated with Shigella bacteria, assuring residents that the town’s water remains safe and meets the required quality standards.
In a statement, NamWater described the allegations, which were shared in the Swakopmunders Gesels Facebook group under the name Yolande L Fourie, as false, malicious and unsupported by any credible evidence.
The utility said the account appeared to be locked or potentially fake and expressed concern that the claims were intended to create fear and undermine public confidence in Namibia’s water supply.
NamWater emphasised that water quality remains a top priority, adding that microbiological testing conducted by its Coastal Business Unit consistently records a pass rate of more than 98%, demonstrating compliance with the required water quality standards.
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