More than 600 reported water leaks were fixed in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality this week, as the work of contractors and additional 279 plumbers and water ambassadors continue to address the water leak backlog across the Metro.
As at 28 February 2023, there were only 1 723 outstanding water leaks that need to be fixed, proving to be a win for the Municipality as there were previously 5 260 outstanding leaks on 30 January 2023.
NMBM Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Head, Dries van der Westhuizen, said the recent recruitment of 79 plumbers who have been deployed to focus on the Assistance To The Poor (ATTP) beneficiary households was yielding some positive results.
“The 200 water ambassadors are responsible for conducting education and awareness drives by conducting door-to-door work to help us detect if there are any water leaks in people’s properties and establish whether are there faulty water meters. This enables the Metro to respond quicker. We encourage our residents to welcome the plumbers and ambassadors and protect them too as they go around in the different wards across the Metro. They will be wearing branded clothing as our key stakeholder Coca-Cola Beverages SA donated T-shirts for the teams,” said Van der Westhuizen.
Even though the Municipality is targeting to clear the remaining backlog by the end of the week, due to ageing infrastructure, the Metro continues to experience recurring and new water leaks on a daily basis.
He added that it is critical for residents to report the leaks as the total dam levels stand at a low 12.06%.
As of 1 March 2022, daily water consumption is high at 272 million litres per day (MLD), over the daily limit by 42 MLD from the 230 million litres per day target.
- Kouga Dam 11.61%
- Churchill Dam 25.58%
- Impofu Dam 6.91%
- Loerie Dam 44.35%
- Groendal Dam 14.39%
- TOTAL 12.06%
- To report water leaks, residents are urged to report on the tollfree number 0800 20 50 50 or email to waterleaks@mandelametro.gov.za.
ISSUED BY NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY
