The NMBM has seen a significant improvement in water supply from the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works since approximately 15:00 yesterday afternoon, with production increasing to 180 megalitres per day. This remains a restricted flow due to current raw water conditions.
As a result of the improved supply, the Motherwell reservoir system has recovered to 26%, allowing approximately 50% of Motherwell to receive water supply. Currently, only the high-lying areas remain affected. Municipal teams will be deployed to bleed air from the system, while water tankers will continue servicing affected communities.
The restarting of booster pump stations is expected to improve supply into Kariega, where some reservoirs had dropped to low levels. Reservoir recovery in the area is anticipated to improve progressively towards lunchtime.
The Chatty Water Treatment Works has also been brought back online, and supply recovery to affected areas supplied from this system is expected to improve from lunchtime onwards.
Supply from the Churchill and Loerie Water Treatment Works systems has remained stable overnight. Water has successfully been pumped into the Chelsea Reservoir, which is currently sitting at 9%, while Emerald Hill Reservoir has improved to 13%. Coastal supply has also stabilised.
The current focus is on rebuilding levels in the major reservoirs, particularly Emerald Hill, to improve distribution to surrounding areas.
At present, the most critical supply zones remain the Gelvandale and Straundale areas, with Gelvandale being prioritised for water tanker distribution. The majority of the municipality’s 10 available water tankers are being deployed to affected areas.
A further system review will be conducted this afternoon, but overall conditions across the metro are showing signs of improvement.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused.
