NELSON MANDELA BAY INTENSIFIES WATER RECOVERY EFFORTS AS EMERGENCY TURNAROUND PLAN TAKES EFFECT.
Published: June 19, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
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The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has intensified its operational response to stabilise water supply across the metro, with significant progress already being recorded at several key water treatment facilities following the implementation of emergency interventions and a comprehensive emergency turnaround plan.
The municipality can confirm that major gains have been achieved over the past 24 hours, with Churchill, Loerie and Elandsjagt Water Treatment Works now operating at full production following extensive optimisation efforts undertaken by technical teams. These improvements are beginning to translate into recovery across several supply zones, bringing much-needed relief to communities that have experienced prolonged water disruptions.
The current water supply challenges are the result of a convergence of factors, including the rapid transition from years of severe drought to unprecedented flooding, increased raw water turbidity, operational constraints at treatment facilities, infrastructure pressures, mechanical and electrical challenges, rising demand and high levels of water losses across the network. The situation has been further exacerbated by exceptionally high water consumption.
Despite these challenges, the Municipality's interventions are yielding positive results, and system recovery is underway.
The Churchill Water Treatment Works has been fully optimised and the associated system is now fully pressurised. Encouraging recovery is already being experienced within the Greenbushes and Emerald Hill reservoir zones.
However, the Gelvandale and Strandale supply zones, which serve densely populated communities including New Brighton, Zwide, KwaZakhele, Algoa Park and surrounding areas, remain constrained due to their location at the tail end of the Churchill supply system. Technical teams anticipate gradual recovery across these areas over the course of the weekend.
The Loerie Water Treatment Works has also been successfully optimised, resulting in improved water availability and positive recovery trends throughout the KwaNobuhle supply zone.
The Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works has stabilised, with gradual recovery now being recorded in Motherwell, Fairbridge Heights and Chatty.
The Rosedale, Kabah, Langa and Kamesh areas continue to experience intermittent supply interruptions due to operational stop-start conditions previously experienced at treatment facilities. Ongoing technical interventions and system adjustments are being implemented to improve supply stability.
The Chelsea supply zone remains under severe pressure and continues to experience significant water disruptions. Due to the complexity of the system and critically low reservoir levels, recovery within this zone is expected to occur progressively over a period exceeding 14 days.
To address the current challenges and accelerate recovery, the Municipality has instituted an emergency turnaround plan focused on restoring operational stability, reducing water losses and strengthening service reliability.
Key interventions currently underway include:
- Replenishment of critical water treatment chemicals at all treatment works, with the first batch delivered on 18 June 2026.
- Completion of a budget amendment to fast-track leak repairs. Six contractors have been appointed to accelerate repairs and reduce water losses, with full operations expected by 22 June 2026.
- Deployment of additional water tankers, plant and equipment to mitigate the impact of water interruptions in affected communities. Additional tankers are already operating in priority areas.
- Appointment of mechanical and electrical contractors to address urgent infrastructure challenges, particularly those linked to electricity outages. Work is expected to be fully resumed by 22 June 2026.
- Implementation of a comprehensive crisis communication plan to improve information sharing, provide infrastructure updates and strengthen public awareness around water conservation, vandalism prevention and community partnerships.
- Additional operational focus on sanitation challenges, including blocked sewer lines and sewage spillages affecting communities.
Several strategic reservoirs remain critically low, affecting water availability across multiple suburbs and supply zones.
Current levels are as follows:
- Chelsea Reservoir – 7%
- Emerald Hill Reservoir – 17%
- Heatherbank Reservoir – 2%
- Lovemore Heights Reservoir – 11%
- Gelvandale Reservoir – 0%
- Strandale Reservoir – 35%
- Greenbushes Reservoir – 49%
- Fort Nottingham Reservoir – 3%
- Fairview Reservoir – 11%
- Rosedale Reservoir – 0%
- Fairbridge Heights Reservoir – 46%
- Van Riebeeck Heights Reservoir – 40%
- Chatty Reservoir – 26%
- KwaNobuhle 4 Reservoir – 59%
- KwaNobuhle 3 Reservoir – 51%
- KwaNobuhle 2 Reservoir – 13%
- KwaNobuhle 1 Reservoir – 29%
While reservoir levels remain under pressure, continuous pumping and treatment optimisation are expected to steadily improve storage levels across the network.
Areas Experiencing Water Interruptions or Low Pressure.
Residents in the following areas may continue to experience no water or reduced water pressure:
Parts of Rosedale, Kabah, Langa, Mountain View, MacNaughton, Fairbridge Heights, Motherwell, iKamvelihle, Wells Estate, Bluewater Bay, St George's, Walmer Township, Walmer (7th to 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, Bridgemead, Hunters Retreat, Kabega, Parsons Ridge, Parsonsvlei, Francis Evatt Park, Morningside, Baywest, Sherwood, Lorraine, Malabar, Barcelona, Gelvandale, Walmer Heights, Greenshields Park, Fairview, Walmer Downs and KwaNobuhle.
The Municipality urgently appeals to all residents, businesses and institutions to reduce water consumption and use water responsibly while recovery efforts continue.
NMBM Executive Mayor Cllr Babalwa Lobishe said, "While we acknowledge the frustration and hardship experienced by residents, we want to assure communities that every available resource has been mobilised to restore stability to the metro's water supply network. The encouraging improvements achieved over the past 24 hours demonstrate that our interventions are working. We will continue to intensify our response until all communities experience reliable and sustainable water supply."
Every litre saved contributes directly to maintaining reservoir levels and improving the Municipality's ability to restore supply to all communities. Residents are further encouraged to report water leaks immediately and to limit water use to essential household needs during this critical recovery period.
While the recent flooding has caused significant short-term disruption, it has also secured long-term water availability for the Metro. As the turnaround plan continues to be implemented and operational capacity is restored, the Municipality expects system performance and supply reliability to improve progressively.
The Municipality acknowledges the inconvenience experienced by residents and businesses and wishes to assure communities that restoring a reliable water supply remains an urgent priority. Progress on the implementation of the turnaround plan will be communicated regularly as interventions are rolled out and completed.
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