WITH just 6.55% of usable water left, the Nelson Mandela Bay’s Impofu dam has reached below the lowest intake point, resulting in no water currently being extracted from this dam.
This comes as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) is experiencing difficulties supplying water to the Elandsjagt water treatment works, as the Impofu dam level has dropped to below the lowest intake point of the intake tower.
The Impofu dam level is at 16.55%, as of November 7, with 10% unusable due to sediment build-up.
Bay residents recently noticed the smell and discolouration of the water and demanded answers from the municipality.
Ward 35 councillor, Helga van Staaden, lodged a complaint after receiving numerous requests from residents in her ward.
“An official came to my office to enquire about our complaints. Water samples were taken and we await the results of the second batch of tests,” van Staaden said.
Van Staaden confirmed that she had received a response from the municipality’s Water Management and Bulk Supply department. According to the response, the Nooitgedacht Water Scheme received a batch of raw water containing algae, which resulted in the earthy taste during the process of treatment and disinfection.
Van Staaden added, “They are currently sending samples to an independent laboratory for additional testing.”
According to municipal spokesperson, Mthubanzi Mniki, all the reservoirs within the NMBM are currently dropping and this has also caused water to be discoloured.
“Please note, the water remains safe. It is imperative that every consumer in the NMBM now drastically reduce water consumption to an absolute minimum so that the reduced supply can be distributed evenly throughout NMBM and to preserve the available water.
“The NMBM will endeavour with interventions that would mitigate the current situation,” Mniki said.
These include, but are not limited, to:
- Increased efficiency of operations, which include improved turnaround time on fixing of water leaks and pipe bursts;
- Installation of barge pump station to access ‘dead’ storage;
- Maximise the use of available Nooitgedacht water, via transfer pump stations.
Mniki added, “The situation will be monitored and updated communication notices will be sent.
“Again, residents are urged to decrease consumption to the absolute minimum.”
The current consumption is approximately 280 mega litres per day leaving the system with a current deficit of approximately 35 mega litres per day, Mniki explained.
The current dam levels are 33.96%of total combined capacity as of November 11.
