The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has flagged concerns that overall dam levels have dropped below the 70% mark, highlighting the need for an ongoing and vigilant focus to be placed on ensuring the security of water supply for the metro.
“Safeguarding our most critical resource, namely water, needs to be an ongoing effort which includes maintenance of infrastructure, fixing leaks, as well as conserving and reducing water consumption,” says Denise van Huyssteen, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. “It is concerning that as a metro which came close to running dry just three years ago, there has not been an escalated focus on ensuring that sufficient mitigation initiatives are in place to protect security of water supply for the medium to long-term.”
Van Huyssteen highlighted the shared responsibility and multi-stakeholder approach required in addressing the issue, calling on businesses, residents and local government to take active steps towards water preservation and the prevention of water losses. “We all need to play our part in conserving water, and should not wait for a crisis before we move into action.”
Basil Mugwagwa, the Chamber’s Water and Sanitation Task Team Lead said that almost half of the metro’s water is unaccounted for, which requires that efforts are stepped up to address water infrastructure issues, and in particular leaks.
“We are appealing to all stakeholders to once again act responsibly, to use water sparingly, to fix leaks, and to adopt practices such as rainwater harvesting wherever possible. Every action, however small, contributes to the broader goal of sustainability,” said Mugwagwa.
“Preventative maintenance should be the norm, not the exception. By addressing issues early, we not only save water, we also reduce long-term costs and improve service delivery.”
Despite current overall dam levels tracking at an acceptable level he cautioned against complacency.
“While the dams may not be empty today, the ongoing loss of millions of litres of clean, treated water each day is a serious concern. The financial and environmental costs are significant and unsustainable.”
Mugwagwa said that the Chamber is encouraging continued investment in sustainable water practices across all sectors, including the installation of rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling, and water-efficient technologies. “Water preservation is something that must become embedded in our way of life, in our homes, businesses and institutions.”
Van Huyssteen pointed to the previous actions of Chamber members during the water crisis, where there was risk of the metro reaching day zero. “Over three years ago, the business community responded swiftly during the water crisis. In terms of reining in leaks, Chamber members adopted 76 schools, and also supported an intervention called Adopt A Leak which saved the metro 1.7 million litres of water per day.”
“This was a powerful example of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and it demonstrated what can be achieved when there is a shared sense of responsibility and urgency. It also reaffirms our view that our city is the most fixable metro in the country,” she said.
Mugwagwa added “By working together, we can ensure that Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supply remains secure for generations to come. Let this be the moment we reaffirm our collective commitment to responsible water stewardship.”
