Nelson Mandela Bay is facing a serious water shortage that directly affects every household and business in the Metro. Our main water source, Impofu Dam, has dropped to critically low levels, placing the city’s water security under significant pressure.
Overall dam levels across the Metro are now below 50%, averaging 47%, with Impofu Dam at just 42%. Prolonged low rainfall, rising temperatures and harsh climatic conditions have prevented the dam from recovering, even after recent rains. This highlights the real risk of further water restrictions if consumption is not reduced immediately.
In response to this growing concern, Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe is leading an urgent site visit to Impofu Dam, accompanied by the Acting City Manager Adv Lonwabo Ngoqo, Senior Director for Water and Sanitation Joseph Tsatsire, and Acting Executive Director for Infrastructure and Engineering Barry Martin. The leadership team is assessing the situation firsthand and accelerating interventions to protect the city’s remaining water supply.
Water experts are currently on the ground evaluating conditions and implementing measures to stabilise supply and mitigate the impact of the shortage. However, these efforts will only succeed with the full cooperation of residents.
Residents are strongly urged to use water sparingly:
- Avoid non-essential water use
- Fix leaks immediately
- Reduce household consumption wherever possible
Every drop saved now helps secure water for essential needs in the weeks and months ahead. Water conservation is no longer optional, it is a shared responsibility.
Impofu Dam, the primary water source for the metropolitan area, is experiencing a severe water shortage. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, emphasized the need for collective action, stating that the municipality and residents must work together to address the crisis. Residents are urged to conserve water and support the municipality’s initiatives aimed at mitigating the impact of the shortage.
