{"id":269219,"date":"2025-08-28T11:31:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T09:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T12:40:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T10:40:44","slug":"kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/","title":{"rendered":"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What began as a routine pipe repair in Goede Hoop Avenue, Fairbridge Heights has evolved into a tale of unfinished business that speaks to broader infrastructure challenges facing the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In June 2024, a resident’s report of a burst pipe near the Fairbridge Heights reservoir prompted municipal workers to respond quickly, but their solution created a new problem that remains unresolved more than a year later.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pipe was fixed, but the resident’s driveway, damaged during the repair process, still bears the scars of heavy municipal equipment. Despite multiple escalations through proper channels, the promised restoration has yet to materialise, leaving the homeowner looking to sell his property with a daily reminder of a job left half-finished.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the reservoir itself tells a troubling story of ongoing water loss. Multiple leaks in the surrounding area have created waterlogged conditions that, according to sources, are now hampering access for repair crews and their equipment.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairbridge Heights resident Kallie Calitz told UD Express<\/em> that approximately 20 years ago, after purchasing his home, he realised that the cement in his driveway was cracking. The municipality discovered that the stormwater pipe underneath was leaking, weakening the soil. They repaired the pipe and filled the hole without issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the June 2024 flood, municipal officials came to fix Calitz’s backyard wall. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst reversing their truck into his driveway, they cracked the cement above the previously repaired pipe, leaving a gaping water-filled hole in his driveway that was cordoned off and left as is.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calitz informed the municipality after noticing that his driveway was hollow, with parts of the soil underneath washed away. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A contractor assessed the damage and discovered a large hole. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The company told me that this was not their mandate, and that the issue was bigger than them. The issue does not originate in my driveway, there is a bigger issue causing this,” Calitz said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The contractor informed the municipality’s roads department, which appointed a plumber for what Calitz maintains is not a plumbing issue. The plumbers noted a leaking pipe, an issue Calitz had repeatedly reported to the municipality.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“My neighbour also has the same issue, but his yard is much worse. They dug in our yards as the stormwater pipe runs underneath our homes and left the pipe exposed. There is now an open gap underneath our boundary wall on both sides of our homes,” he said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water testing revealed that the pipe contained potable water, allegedly from the Fairbridge Heights reservoir, prompting the matter to be transferred from the roads department to the water department. However, the water department refused to extract water from the holes to allow the roads department to repair the pipe.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calitz showed UD Express<\/em> what he believes to be the root of the area’s water problems. Behind his home, a stream of potable water flows into a stormwater pipe; representing a loss of treated water and contributing to increased infrastructure costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There are so many water leaks in this bush. In 1996 when I moved here, there was only a small stream, but it seems to get worse every year, with the water department doing nothing to fix the issue,” he said. “I was informed that the leaks have made the soil around the reservoir too wet for tractors to reach it. Are we going to let the water we pay for be wasted?”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Water from an alleged leak at the Fairbridge Heights reservoir flows through bush behind the resident’s home into a stormwater pipe, wasting potable water. \nPHOTOS: SHANTI JAFTA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When asked about awareness of water issues in Kariega, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya said, “The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledges the ongoing water and sanitation challenges in Kariega and other municipal areas. These difficulties are largely due to a backlog of work and ageing infrastructure across the metro.”\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The municipality added that a comprehensive metro-wide maintenance and refurbishment plan is being rolled out, covering all communities.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked to comment on the resident’s situation, the municipality did not address specific questions regarding the municipality’s property damage restoration policy, contractor accountability, standard timeframes for damage claims, the root cause of the water leaks in the bush behind Goede Hoop, or estimated resolution timelines for the resident’s case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A resident in Goede Hoop Avenue was affected, with a visibly hollow driveway caused by the same water leak. Municipal officials allegedly dug to investigate the problem but left the area unfilled, creating a safety hazard on the property.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A routine pipe repair in Fairbridge Heights led to unresolved driveway damage for a resident, highlighting broader infrastructure issues and ongoing water leaks in the Bay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":269223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"71","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify after repairs","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as damaged driveways and unresolved repairs highlight broader infrastructure challenges.","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"4","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"A Fairbridge Heights resident's driveway remains cordoned off and unrepaired over a year after allegedly being damaged by municipal officials, leaving a water-filled hole from the damaged drain. ","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":["sjWaterCrisis_P1","sjWaterCrisis_P2","sjWaterCrisis_P3"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[7903,7904,7878,91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-269219","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-community-highlights","tag-local-stories","tag-municipal","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nKariega residents' water concerns intensify as issues persist<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as unresolved issues persist in Fairbridge Heights after a routine pipe repair.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify after repairs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as damaged driveways and unresolved repairs highlight broader infrastructure challenges.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PE Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/peexpress.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Shanti Jafta\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@express_newspapers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@express_newspapers\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Shanti Jafta\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c83f5db977b517d69fd32c01608c48f8\"},\"headline\":\"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":756,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Community Highlights\",\"Local Stories\",\"Municipal\",\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2025\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/\",\"name\":\"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as issues persist\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as unresolved issues persist in Fairbridge Heights after a routine pipe repair.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/08\\\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":800,\"caption\":\"A Fairbridge Heights resident's driveway remains cordoned off and unrepaired over a year after allegedly being damaged by municipal officials, leaving a water-filled hole from the damaged drain.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"PE Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"PE Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/pe-express-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/pe-express-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"PE Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/PEExpress1\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/express_newspapers\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\\\/videos\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/c83f5db977b517d69fd32c01608c48f8\",\"name\":\"Shanti Jafta\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Shanti Jafta\"},\"honorificPrefix\":\"Mr\",\"birthDate\":\"1998-09-09\",\"gender\":\"Male\",\"knowsLanguage\":[\"English\",\"IsiXhosa\"],\"jobTitle\":\"Reporter\",\"worksFor\":\"Novus Media (PTY) LTD\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/peexpress\\\/author\\\/shanti\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as issues persist","description":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as unresolved issues persist in Fairbridge Heights after a routine pipe repair.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify after repairs","og_description":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as damaged driveways and unresolved repairs highlight broader infrastructure challenges.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/","og_site_name":"PE Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","article_published_time":"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":800,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/peexpress.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Shanti Jafta","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify","twitter_creator":"@express_newspapers","twitter_site":"@express_newspapers","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/"},"author":{"name":"Shanti Jafta","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/c83f5db977b517d69fd32c01608c48f8"},"headline":"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify","datePublished":"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/"},"wordCount":756,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg","keywords":["Community Highlights","Local Stories","Municipal","Top"],"articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2025","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/","name":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as issues persist","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg","datePublished":"2025-08-28T09:31:23+00:00","dateModified":"2025-08-28T10:40:44+00:00","description":"Kariega residents' water concerns intensify as unresolved issues persist in Fairbridge Heights after a routine pipe repair.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg","width":1200,"height":800,"caption":"A Fairbridge Heights resident's driveway remains cordoned off and unrepaired over a year after allegedly being damaged by municipal officials, leaving a water-filled hole from the damaged drain."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-residents-water-concerns-intensify\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Kariega residents\u2019 water concerns intensify"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/","name":"PE Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#organization","name":"PE Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/pe-express-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/pe-express-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"PE Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PEExpress1\/","https:\/\/x.com\/express_newspapers","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000\/videos"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/c83f5db977b517d69fd32c01608c48f8","name":"Shanti Jafta","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cropped-IMG_3883-96x96.jpg","caption":"Shanti Jafta"},"honorificPrefix":"Mr","birthDate":"1998-09-09","gender":"Male","knowsLanguage":["English","IsiXhosa"],"jobTitle":"Reporter","worksFor":"Novus Media (PTY) LTD","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/author\/shanti\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_2891_59716.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":268528,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/kariega-elderly-woman-73-kidnapped-in-fairbridge-height\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":0},"title":"Kariega: Elderly woman, 73, kidnapped in Fairbridge Heights","author":"Gugulethu Mtumane","date":"11 August 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Eastern Cape police have confirmed that an\u00a0elderly\u00a0woman (73) from Fairbridge Height was kidnapped today, 11 August. Police spokesperson Captain Beetge said no ransom demand has been made at this stage. Police are now appealing to the public to share any\u00a0information\u00a0related to this incident.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"crime scene tape.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/caution-5978818_1280-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/caution-5978818_1280-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/caution-5978818_1280-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/caution-5978818_1280-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/caution-5978818_1280-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298709,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/nmbm-water-crisis-metro-promises-relief-as-parts-remain-without-supply\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":1},"title":"NMBM water crisis: Metro promises relief as parts remain without supply","author":"PE Express","date":"15 May 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The Municipality is pleased to report that, should current progress continue, all residents are expected to have access to water by next week.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Some residents go five days without water access.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":298191,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/glendinning-reservoir-water-tests-show-zero-e-coli-despite-alleged-security-failures\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":2},"title":"Glendinning Reservoir water tests show zero E. coli despite alleged security failures","author":"PE Express","date":"29 April 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says latest tests show zero E. coli at Glendinning Reservoir despite allegations of vagrant occupation.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Nelson Mandela Bay Metro water reservoir structure.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LongDrop.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LongDrop.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LongDrop.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/LongDrop.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":299844,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/bay-areas-plagued-by-recurring-water-supply-disruptions-for-weeks\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":3},"title":"Bay areas plagued by recurring water supply disruptions for weeks","author":"PE Express","date":"18 June 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Several strategic reservoirs are currently operating at critically low levels, with Rosedale recorded at 0% and Emerald Hill at 2%.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Parts of Bay go weeks with recurring water supply cuts.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/create-a-featured-image-illustrating-cape-towns-current-water-crisis.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":296038,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/minnie-kidnapping-suspects-appear-unmoved-in-court-as-matter-is-rescheduled\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":4},"title":"Minnie kidnapping: Suspects appear unmoved in court as matter is rescheduled","author":"Shanti Jafta","date":"4 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"The suspects allegedly demanded her husband Karel pay a R10 million ransom for her safe return following the abduction of Theresa Minnie from her Fairbridge Heights home.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Pictured are suspects Ayabulela Busakwe and Andile Mathumbu.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Minnie-kidnappers.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":294931,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/water-crisis-deepens-as-demand-exceeds-capacity\/","url_meta":{"origin":269219,"position":5},"title":"Nelson Mandela Bay water crisis deepens as demand exceeds capacity","author":"PE Express","date":"2 December 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Water shortages are affecting dozens of suburbs across Nelson Mandela Bay as daily consumption reaches 390-400 million litres.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/13de26e75cab4d549e47e40e5b26edb5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/13de26e75cab4d549e47e40e5b26edb5.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/13de26e75cab4d549e47e40e5b26edb5.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/13de26e75cab4d549e47e40e5b26edb5.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"UD Express (Uitenhage)","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/udexpress.co.za","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=269219"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/269219\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/269223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=269219"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=269219"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=269219"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=269219"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=269219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}