Namibia is the most arid country in sub-Saharan Africa due to the huge difference between precipitation and evaporation.1 Fresh water scarcity thus remains a major environmental challenge. As per figures compiled by the World Bank, the percentage of arable land area stands at only 1% of the country’s surface area.2 Only limited rainfall and groundwater sources are available to support agriculture.3 Water supply is a major challenge in Namibia, especially in the rural areas where small settlements are in very remote places. With an average of 89%, the target of the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) to provide 100% of the population with access to water for human consumption has not been reached as revealed by the NDP4 Terminal Report.4 For the period of NDP5, it is envisaged to supply 95.5% of the rural and 100% of the urban households with access to safe drinking water by 2022.5 Existing water supply infrastructure has to be maintained, additional water supply infrastructure must be established, facilities have to be operated, and fees collected to recover the cost to supply water.6 The same applies to sanitation services and waste water disposal. Thus, sound and sustained water management remains high on the agenda, to ensure social, economic and environmental benefits. Scarce water resources must be shared between the growing population, increasing agricultural production and an expanding industrial sector, while environmental requirements must also be accommodated. Appropriate policy, legislation and regulations are therefore of great importance to achieve these objectives.