NELSON MANDELA BAY – A burst bulk water pipeline and ongoing infrastructure failures have dealt another blow to efforts to restore water supply across Nelson Mandela Bay, with thousands of residents continuing to experience low pressure or no water.
According to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the metro’s water supply system remains under severe strain despite electricity having been restored to the Elandsjagt and Kariega water treatment works.
The municipality said a burst on the 500mm bulk water pipeline near Joe Slovo West has significantly disrupted water transfers to the Chelsea Reservoir and FM Tower, further affecting water supply to the western suburbs.
It said the situation has been worsened by the failure of the final high-lift pump at the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works, reducing pumping capacity from approximately 200 megalitres per day to 180 megalitres per day. Municipal teams are carrying out repairs while supplementing supply through the low-lift pump station.
The municipality reported that water supply has stabilised in several parts of the metro. KwaNobuhle’s reservoir system has recovered, with consumers across the supply zone expected to have water, while Fairbridge Heights and Van Riebeeck Hoogte are also receiving normal supply.
It added that conditions have improved in Rosedale, Kabah and Langa following the stabilisation of the Kabah Water Treatment Works, which is producing an average of nine megalitres of water a day. However, residents in higher-lying areas may still experience low water pressure or intermittent supply while the system continues to recover.
Motherwell’s reservoir has recovered to 64%, restoring water supply across the zone, while the Chatty Reservoir has stabilised over the past 24 hours, allowing supply to resume to consumers, including those in Reservoir Hills, the municipality said.
Despite these improvements, several reservoirs remain at critically low levels.
According to the municipality, the Chelsea Reservoir is at just 8%, with the damaged bulk pipeline continuing to affect supply in the area, including parts of Ward 29.
The municipality said Gelvandale Reservoir is at 5%, Emerald Hill at 12% and Heatherbank at only 2%, resulting in low pressure and intermittent water supply, particularly in higher-lying areas. Airport and Driftsands reservoirs are also under pressure at 7% and 19% respectively.
High water demand is continuing to place additional strain on the system, with the municipality warning that many residents in Deal Party, Swartkops, Zwide, KwaZakhele, Algoa Park and Missionvale remain without water.
It further advised that residents in Mountain View, Wells Estate, Bluewater Bay, Walmer Township, Walmer, Newton Park, Schauderville, Greenacres, Perridgevale, Parsons Hill, Mill Park, Linkside, Mount Croix, Rowallan Park, Bridgemeade, Hunters Retreat, Kabega Park, Sherwood, Lorraine, Malabar, Bloemendal Extensions, Booysens Park, Walmer Heights, Greenshields Park, Fairview, Walmer Downs and parts of KwaNobuhle may continue to experience low water pressure or intermittent supply.
The municipality said repair teams are continuing work on the damaged bulk pipeline and the failed pump at the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works while also repairing leaks and burst pipes across the metro, monitoring reservoir levels, adjusting pumping operations and deploying water tankers to communities experiencing prolonged outages.
Residents and businesses have been urged to use water sparingly and avoid non-essential consumption while the system remains under pressure as the municipality works to restore stable water supply across the metro.
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