Who, every day of their lives, have to report on the failings of the very institution that they represent. It must be so disheartening to report on failures day after day, month after month, year after year AND still draw a salary whilst waiting fearfully for some jumped up politician to look at you unfavourably and then, just for fun, decide to work you out because of what you said, did, didn’t do or the colour of your skin or your political leanings.
Anyway – on to the reason for my concern above:
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s water supply system continues to recover, however a major bulk leak has been detected on the 500mm water main between Joe Slovo and KwaNoxolo along the Motherwell-Chelsea pipeline.
Repairs to the damaged pipeline will require a major shutdown of the Motherwell-Chelsea system on Thursday, which will interrupt the transfer of water to the Chelsea Reservoir via the Stanford Pump Stations. This temporary shutdown is expected to impact water availability across a number of the metro’s distribution reservoirs, particularly those supplied from the western side of the network.
System Status:
Chelsea Zone: The zone continues to operate under critical conditions, with the Chelsea Reservoir at very low levels. Consumers in high-lying areas remain affected by low pressure or intermittent water supply.
Greenbushes Zone: The zone has recovered, and the majority of consumers are receiving a normal water supply.
Malabar Zone: This zone remains affected by the low levels in the Chelsea system. Water shortages continue to impact Malabar, Barcelona and surrounding areas.
Gelvandale and Struandale Zones: The system has stabilised, with improved water availability. Consumers in these areas should be receiving water.
Emerald Hill Zone: The zone has improved, with the Emerald Hill Reservoir currently at approximately 20%. Consumers supplied from this reservoir continue to receive water. Fairview, Fort Nottingham and Glendinning reservoirs remain stable, with water supply maintained to these areas.
Heatherbank and Lovemore Heights Zone: Heatherbank Reservoir has recovered to 46%, allowing pumping to Lovemore Heights Reservoir to resume. Water supply will gradually be restored as reservoir levels continue to improve, with additional pumping to the Upper Lovemore Tank once Lovemore Heights Reservoir exceeds 40%.
Driftsands and Airport Zone: The zone remains stable and consumers should have water.
Chatty and Bloemendal Zone: The system has stabilised and consumers should have water, with the exception of Khayamnandi, where a burst 500mm water main continues to affect supply.
Motherwell Zone: The system remains stable and consumers should have water.
Fairbridge Heights and Van Riebeeck Hoogte Zone: The zone remains stable, with water available to consumers.
Rosedale, Kabah and Kamesh Zone: Consistent production of approximately 9 megalitres per day has stabilised the system, and consumers should be receiving water.
Colchester Zone: The water leak on Longmarket Street, Colchester, has been successfully repaired.
Strategic Reservoir Levels:
- Chelsea – 8%
- Emerald Hill – 20%
- Greenbushes – 62%
- Gelvandale – 15%
- Malabar – 10%
- Struandale – 37%
- Airport – 9%
- Driftsands – 37%
- Rosedale – 0%
- Chatty – 27%
- Motherwell – 55%
- Bloemendal – 65%
- Heatherbank – 46%
- Lovemore Heights – 0%
- Upper Tank – 0%
- Fairview – 57%
- Fort Nottingham – 86%
- Glendinning – 60%
- Van Riebeeck Hoogte – 43%
- Fairbridge Heights – 39%
- KwaNobuhle 4 – 65%
- KwaNobuhle 3 – 56%
- KwaNobuhle 2 – 0% (faulty level indicator)
- KwaNobuhle 1 – 61%
- Kabah Rectangular – 30%
- Kabah Circular – 51%
With several reservoirs still operating below optimal levels, the following areas may experience low water pressure or intermittent water supply:
- Parts of Rosedale, Kabah and Langa
- Mountain View
- MacNaughton
- Fairbridge Heights
- Motherwell
- iKamvelihle
- Wells Estate
- Bluewater Bay
- St George’s
- Walmer Township
- Walmer (7th–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
- Bloemendal Extensions
- Chatty
- Booysens Park
- 7 Delaan
- Walmer Heights
- Lovemore Heights
- Charlo
- Mount Pleasant
- Seaview
- Miramar
- Greenshields Park
- Fairview
- Walmer Downs
- KwaNobuhle
To minimise the impact of the current challenges and restore the system as quickly as possible, the Municipality is implementing the following interventions:
- A planned shutdown of a section of the Motherwell-Chelsea pipeline to repair the damaged 500mm bulk water main. Although this will temporarily affect water supply to the western side of the network, the successful completion of the repair will significantly improve system recovery.
- Water tankers will be deployed to provide emergency water where required.
- Continuous system optimisation is being undertaken to improve the equitable distribution of available water.
- Water production at all treatment works is being optimised.
- Leak detection and repair teams have been intensified to reduce water losses across the network.
- The Municipality appeals to all residents and businesses to use water sparingly and avoid all non-essential water consumption while the system remains under pressure. Every litre saved contributes to maintaining reservoir levels and improving water availability across the metro.
- Residents are also encouraged to report water leaks immediately to assist in reducing unnecessary water losses.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledges the frustration experienced by affected communities and assures residents that every available resource is being utilised to restore stability to the metro’s water supply system as quickly as possible. Further updates will be communicated as more information becomes available.
