The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality continues to implement operational adjustments to its water pump, reservoir and distribution system to expedite recovery and optimise water management, in order to mitigate the impact of the ongoing water disruptions across the City.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Cllr Babalwa Lobishe, said the current challenge is expected to improve quicker than anticipated due to the investments made by the Municipality over the past financial years.
“The current situation will be mitigated by the investment we have made in the system. We have worked smart to create an integrated system and enhanced our pumping and distribution capacity to be able to rechannel water from areas that have sufficient supply to strained areas,” said Executive Mayor Lobishe.
She said as the system recovers, adjustments and rechanneling are currently underway.
“To those areas experiencing water outages for longer periods, temporary water supply measures will be implemented. We do understand the importance of water in the livelihoods of our people,” the Executive Mayor said.
The current reduced production is mainly due to high turbidity (muddy water) levels, which are above the design parameters of the treatment works.
This reduced production comes while the system was still recovering from the effects Publicof low to no water levels in some reservoirs due to electricity outages that affected a number of areas last month.
The dwindling western surface dam levels (combined dam levels were at 36.8% last week), coupled with the 25% restrictions imposed on them, have also contributed to the strain.
High water consumption, currently at 380ML per day compared to the normal 280ML per day, has further placed pressure on the system and slowed the recovery process.
Operational failures, including electrical disruptions in the bulk distribution systems, have also contributed to the current water shortages.
The system remains highly compromised by turbidity, with outputs at all treatment works affected.
It is likely to take up to a week to fully restore water supply across all affected areas.
Reservoir levels as of 11 May 2026:
- Chelsea Reservoir– 8%
- Greenbushes Reservoir– 28%
- Emerald Hill Reservoir– 18%
- Heatherbank Reservoir– 1%
- Lovemore Reservoir– 8%
- Upper Lovemore Reservoir– 78%
- Motherwell Reservoir– 1%
- Airport Reservoir– 21%
- Driftsands Reservoir– 1%
- Bloemendal Reservoir– 23%
- Chatty Reservoir– 36% Public The Lorraine area is serviced by Chelsea Reservoir.
Areas currently experiencing water disruptions include: Motherwell, iKamvelihle, Wells Estate, Bluewater Bay, St George’s, Walmer Township, Walmer (7th Avenue–14th Avenue), Glen Hurd, Newton Park, Schauderville, Mangold Park, Greenacres, Perridgevale, Adcockvale, Parsons Hill, Glendinningvale, Mill Park,Linkside, Mount Croix, Richmond Hill, high-lying areas of Central, Rowallan Park, Greenbushes, Bridgemeade, Hunters Retreat, Kabega Park, Parsons Ridge, Parsonsvlei, Francis Evatt Park, Morningside, Baywest, Sherwood, Lorraine, Malabar, Barcelona, Gelvandale, Walmer Heights, Greenshields Park, Fairview, Walmer Downs, KwaNobuhle, parts of Westering, Amsterdamhoek, Deal Party, Swartkops, Overbaakens, Charlo, Broadwood, Miramar, Mount Pleasant, Providentia, Pari Park, Salisbury Park, Lovemore Heights, Sardinia Bay, Old Seaview Road/Deer Park, Helenvale, Algoa Park, Zwide, Soweto-on-Sea, Veeplaas, KwaZakhele, Missionvale, Summerstrand, Humewood, Motherwell NU7 and 9, Markman Industrial, Reservoir Hills, and higher-lying parts of Khayamnandi and Joe Slovo West.
Sporadic supply is being experienced in Scheepershoogte, Valleisig, Strelitzia Park, Fairbridge Heights, Winterhoek Park, Vanes Estate, and higher-lying parts of Rosedale and Tiryville.
Current interventions and operations:
- The Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Plant continues operating at an increased and sustained output of 200ML per day.
- Recovery efforts within the Motherwell Zone are showing signs of improvement.
- Once supply stabilises in Motherwell, water will be boosted to Stanford and Chelsea.
- The Loerie, Churchill and Elandskloof Water Treatment Works remain operational and continue producing water consistently.
- Pumping at Schonnies is being maintained at 66ML per day.
The Municipality continues to closely monitor the system, with technical teams remaining on site to stabilise supply and restore reservoir levels as quickly as possible.
We thank residents for their continued patience, understanding and responsible water usage during this period.
