GQEBERHA – Nearly two months after heavy rains replenished Nelson Mandela Bay’s dams, the metro’s water crisis continues, with a new bulk pipeline leak threatening to delay the recovery of the water distribution system despite gradual improvements in several supply zones.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) announced on Wednesday, 8 July, that a major leak had been detected on the 500mm water main between Joe Slovo and KwaNoxolo along the Motherwell-Chelsea pipeline.

According to municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya, repairs to the damaged pipeline will require a planned shutdown of the Motherwell-Chelsea system on Thursday, temporarily interrupting water transfers to the Chelsea Reservoir via the Stanford Pump Stations.

“This temporary shutdown is expected to impact water availability across a number of the metro’s distribution reservoirs, particularly those supplied from the western side of the network,” Soyaya said.

The latest setback comes a day after the municipality reported that most recent infrastructure failures had been resolved, although several strategic reservoirs remained critically low.

Despite the planned shutdown, the municipality said water supply has continued to improve in several areas. The Greenbushes, Gelvandale, Struandale, Airport, Driftsands, Motherwell, Fairbridge Heights, Van Riebeeck Hoogte and Rosedale-Kabah-Kamesh systems have stabilised, with most consumers expected to have water.

Reservoir levels have also recovered in parts of the western supply network. Emerald Hill has increased to approximately 20%, while Heatherbank has recovered to 46%, allowing pumping to the Lovemore Heights Reservoir to resume. The municipality said water supply to Lovemore Heights will gradually improve as reservoir levels continue recovering.

However, several areas remain under pressure.

The Chelsea system continues to operate under critical conditions, with the reservoir remaining at just 8%. Residents in higher-lying areas continue to experience low water pressure and intermittent supply, while low levels in the Chelsea system are also affecting Malabar, Barcelona and surrounding suburbs.

Although the Chatty and Bloemendal systems have stabilised, a burst 500mm water main continues to disrupt supply to Khayamnandi.

The municipality also confirmed that repairs to a water leak in Longmarket Street, Colchester, have been completed, restoring supply to the area.

Strategic reservoir levels remain mixed across the metro. While Greenbushes has recovered to 62% and Motherwell stands at 55%, Malabar remains at 10%, Chelsea at 8%, and Lovemore Heights and the Upper Tank remain empty. The municipality noted that the zero reading for KwaNobuhle Reservoir 2 is the result of a faulty level indicator.

Residents in parts of Motherwell, Wells Estate, Bluewater Bay, Walmer, Newton Park, Greenacres, Mill Park, Lorraine, Malabar, Gelvandale, Fairview, Lovemore Heights, Charlo, Mount Pleasant, Seaview, Miramar and KwaNobuhle may continue to experience low water pressure or intermittent supply while recovery efforts continue.

Soyaya said municipal teams would continue repairing leaks, optimising water production and pumping operations, monitoring reservoir levels and deploying water tankers where required to minimise disruptions during Thursday’s planned shutdown.

He again appealed to residents to use water responsibly.

“Every litre saved contributes to maintaining reservoir levels and improving water availability across the metro,” Soyaya said.

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