60% Water Losses Test Bay’s Readiness and Residents Patience

Nelson Mandela Bay – More than 60% of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water is being lost through the system as the metro heads towards a hotter, drier summer, putting renewed focus on water losses and infrastructure maintenance despite dams currently being full.

The latest seasonal outlook from the South African Weather Service points to a high likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-normal temperatures between November 2026 and January 2027.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber says the current full dam levels provide a critical window to address systemic water losses before higher temperatures and increased demand place additional pressure on the system.

“The fact that our dams are full is positive, but it should not create a false sense of security,” says Chamber Chief Executive Officer Denise van Huyssteen.

“If we are heading into a hotter and drier summer, we need to use this window to address the water that is already being lost. Losing more than 60% of our water through the system is a vulnerability we cannot afford to ignore.”

The Chamber says water-loss reduction must be accompanied by basic infrastructure maintenance, including the clearing and upkeep of stormwater drains and canals. While below-normal rainfall is anticipated, the National Disaster Management Centre’s Seasonal Hazard Profile has identified the potential for cut-off low-pressure systems during September and October, which could bring periods of heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm, flash flooding and cold conditions. This reinforces the need to ensure stormwater infrastructure is clear and functional ahead of potentially intense rainfall events.

At the same time, anticipated strong wind events could further aggravate fire conditions. Nelson Mandela Bay is identified as particularly exposed to windstorms during spring, increasing the potential for both the rapid spread of fires and storm-related damage.

“Preparedness means dealing with infrastructure vulnerabilities before they become emergencies,” says Van Huyssteen. “That means reducing unaccounted and non-revenue water losses by fixing leaks and addressing water billing issues, proactively upgrading and maintaining infrastructure on an ongoing basis, clearing stormwater drains and ensuring that we are prepared for the range of weather-related risks we could face.”

The Chamber’s Risk Management Desk is working with stakeholders on practical measures to help strengthen the metro’s ability to prepare for and respond to weather-related and other risks. One such intervention is a 12-month fire hydrant project led by Supporting Fire Services South Africa and implemented through the Chamber’s Risk Management Desk. The project is improving the functionality, accessibility and monitoring of fire hydrants to ensure firefighters can access a reliable water supply during emergencies.

To date, 336 hydrants have been rehabilitated and 109 hydrant markers painted. A geolocation and monitoring system is also being used to improve visibility of the hydrant network.

Seven YES participants are involved in the programme, supported through training and technical assistance from City Paint and Tool, Bay Fire Safety Solutions and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Water and Fire Department.

Claire Lötter, Head of Supporting Fire Services South Africa, says the anticipated summer conditions reinforce the need to address firefighting vulnerabilities before they are tested.

“Fire resilience starts well before a fire breaks out. When conditions become hotter and drier, the margin for error becomes smaller, making basic infrastructure such as functioning and accessible fire hydrants even more critical,” says Lötter.

“Through this partnership with the Business Chamber, we are addressing a practical vulnerability that can directly affect the ability of fire services to respond effectively.”

Supporting Fire Services South Africa is a non-profit organisation that aims to catalyse, coordinate and strengthen South Africa’s fire services sector. Recognising that South Africa faces escalating fire-related risks and losses, SFS-SA seeks to improve the sector’s resilience, resourcing, institutional capability and ability to reduce fire-related risks and losses across communities, economies, critical infrastructure and natural landscapes in South Africa.

The Chamber’s Risk Management Desk is also using data and spatial mapping to identify areas and infrastructure exposed to risks including flooding and fire. This work involves collaboration with the South African Weather Service, disaster management authorities, the municipality, emergency responders and other stakeholders.

For businesses, the Chamber says the seasonal outlook should be treated as an early warning and an opportunity to strengthen continuity measures.

This includes reviewing water-contingency plans, identifying critical infrastructure vulnerabilities, assessing fire risks and ensuring business continuity plans remain fit for purpose.

“The opportunity is in front of us,” says Van Huyssteen. “We have water in our dams. The priority now must be to stop losing any further valuable water, maintain the infrastructure that gets it to consumers and ensure we are ready for the weather extremes that summer will bring.”

“Water conservation also needs to become a way of life, not something we only think about when dam levels are critically low. The more efficiently we use and manage this resource every day, while addressing the losses in the system, the more resilient the metro will be.”

“The more we address these vulnerabilities now, the better positioned we will be to protect businesses, communities and livelihoods.”