Some parts of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) have gone almost a week without access to water, through their taps or water trucks. In response, the Metro claims that the trucks will be rotated throughout the Metro, as “this is how it works.”

In a statement issued yesterday, the NMBM shared that the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works is now fully back online and operating with two low-lift pumps and three high-lift pumps. “The plant is currently producing approximately 180 megalitres per day, which remains our reduced operating capacity due to ongoing high turbidity levels affecting raw water quality,” the statement reads.

The statement added that as flows continue to [allegedly] improve, supply into the Kariega area is also expected to stabilise. “Pumping from the Van Riebeeck Reservoir is scheduled to commence tonight, to begin refilling the depleted system.” However, residents claim that their taps are still dry after four days of no water on Thursday morning.

The NMBM spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said in the statement that this recovery process will continue overnight, and customers in the affected Kariega areas that have experienced complete outages should begin to see a gradual return of pressure after lunchtime today.

“Areas supplied by the Kabah Water Treatment Works remain affected,” he said. “While electrical repairs have been completed, the infrastructure requires sufficient curing time before the plant can safely be restarted.”

Soyaya added that operations are expected to resume after midnight last night, after which production capacity will gradually be increased and the system refilled. “Water supply recovery to affected customers is similarly only expected after lunchtime tomorrow,” he said.

Additionally, the Metro added that on the southwestern side of the metro, gradual improvement is being observed.

“Emerald Hill Reservoir is currently at 17%, while Drift Sands and Airport reservoirs are averaging around 30%, indicating steady recovery within the system,” Soyaya said.

Efforts are underway to further improve storage levels at Emerald Hill to enable pumping to the Adcock Bank and Lovemore Heights reservoirs by today, subject to current system demand.

He continued, adding that the Loerie Water Treatment Works’ treatment processes have improved and the plant is currently producing approximately 60 megalitres per day. “This additional capacity will be directed to Chelsea Reservoir to strengthen supply to western areas, particularly the upper parts of Lorraine and Rowallan Park, which have experienced severe depletion in recent days,” he said.

With regard to the Churchill supply system, which has thus far supported Emerald Hill Reservoir, “there is optimism that pumping to Greenbushes Reservoir will commence shortly to further improve storage levels across the network,” according to Soyaya.

In a statement issued today, 14 May, Soyaya claimed that the NMBM has seen a significant improvement in water supply from the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works since approximately 15:00 yesterday afternoon, with production increasing to 180 megalitres per day. This remains a restricted flow owing to current raw water conditions.

“As a result of the improved supply, the Motherwell reservoir system has recovered to 26%, allowing approximately 50% of Motherwell to receive water supply,” he said. “Currently, only the high-lying areas remain affected.”

Ward 51 Councillor Roelf Basson confirmed that the metro has managed to start the pumps at Motherwell and Rosedale. “Recovery will now start taking place, and later today we should have water in the area for those areas that’s been out.”

He added that the restarting of booster pump stations is expected to improve supply into Kariega, where some reservoirs had dropped to low levels. “Reservoir recovery in the area is anticipated to improve progressively towards lunchtime,” he said.

The Chatty Water Treatment Works has also been brought back online, and supply recovery to affected areas supplied from this system is expected to improve from lunchtime onwards.

Supply from the Churchill and Loerie Water Treatment Works systems, according to the metro, has remained stable overnight. “Water has successfully been pumped into the Chelsea Reservoir, which is currently sitting at 9%, while Emerald Hill Reservoir has improved to 13%,” with coastal supply allegedly stabilised.

“The current focus is on rebuilding levels in the major reservoirs, particularly Emerald Hill, to improve distribution to surrounding areas,” he said.

“At present, the most critical supply zones remain the Gelvandale and Straundale areas, with Gelvandale being prioritised for water tanker distribution.”

On when water tanks will be deployed in places that have been without water for several days, Soyaya claimed that, “It’s difficult to pinpoint water trucks in a particular area as they rotate. This is how it works. The majority of the municipality’s 10 available water tankers are being deployed to affected areas.”

He continued, adding that residents who have water supply are once again urged to use water responsibly.

“While many customers have endured prolonged periods with little or no water supply, it is critical that, once supply is restored, water is used sparingly and only for essential purposes,” he said. “Responsible consumption will assist in accelerating system recovery and restoring stable supply to all affected areas as quickly as possible.”

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