NMBM PLEADS TO RESIDENTS TO USE WATER SPARRINGLY AS WATER SYSTEM REMAINS UNDER PRESSURE
Published: June 23, 2026<< BACK TO NEWS
.jpg)
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has called on residents and businesses to use water sparingly as the water supply system remains under severe pressure following recent flood-related system destabilisation caused by high water turbidity levels.
The current high consumption is slowing the recovery of the system. As a result, a number of areas are experiencing low water pressure, while some continue to receive intermittent supply.
Several supply zones across the Metro continue to experience low reservoir levels.
The situation has been further exacerbated by the depletion of the Nooitgedagt raw water abstraction dam. This depletion is due to high demand and canal maintenance work currently being undertaken by the Sundays River Irrigation Board.
As a mitigation measure, the Municipality continues to implement emergency interventions to stabilise the system, including:
- Deployment of water tankers to priority areas;
- Continuous optimisation of treatment works and pumping operations;
- Close monitoring and management of reservoir levels;
- Ongoing efforts to secure and maintain water treatment chemical supplies; and
- Public awareness initiatives promoting responsible water use.
The following supply zones are affected:
- KwaNobuhle Zone
- Reservoirs 3 and 4 remain stable and are operating above 60% capacity. However, Reservoirs 1 and 2 remain critically low, resulting in intermittent water supply disruptions in some parts of KwaNobuhle.
- Rosedale, Kamesh, Kabah and Langa Zone
Water supply has improved following technical interventions and troubleshooting efforts. Supply has been restored to areas including Kamesh, Mountain View and parts of Springbok Street. However, intermittent interruptions continue due to low reservoir levels and irregular pumping. Some areas in Ward 50 remain affected.
- Fairbridge Heights and Van Riebeeck Hoogte Zone The zone remains relatively stable, with reservoirs above 40% capacity. Residents may nevertheless experience intermittent supply due to fluctuating demand and supply constraints associated with the Nooitgedagt system.
- Chelsea Zone The reservoir remains critically low at 10%, resulting in low pressure and water supply disruptions in some areas.
- Bloemendal Zone The reservoir is currently at 24% capacity. While inflow remains open, residents in higher-lying areas, including parts of KwaMagxaki and KwaDwesi, may experience low water pressure.
- Lovemore Heights, Seaview and Mount Pleasant Zone Reservoir levels remain low. Water supply is being maintained across the zone, although intermittent outages may occur while the system is balanced.
- Emerald Hill Zone The zone has stabilised, with auxiliary reservoirs averaging above 50% capacity. Water supply is currently available throughout the area.
- Driftsands and Airport Zone Reservoir levels remain critically low, and consumers may experience low pressure and intermittent supply.
- Gelvandale and Struandale Zone High demand continues to place pressure on available supply, resulting in sporadic interruptions.
- Chatty Zone Conditions have improved and pumping to Reservoir Hills is expected to commence, which will further stabilise supply in the area.
- Motherwell Zone Low reservoir levels are resulting in reduced pressure, with high-lying areas particularly affected.
- Current Reservoir Levels
- Chelsea Reservoir – 10%
- Emerald Hill Reservoir – 17%
- Lovemore Heights Reservoir – 29%
- Gelvandale Reservoir – 2%
- Malabar Reservoir – 10%
- Airport Reservoir – 17%
- Driftsands Reservoir – 6%
- Rosedale Reservoir – 0%
- Fairbridge Heights Reservoir – 24%
- Kamesh Reservoir – 30%
- McNaughton Reservoir – 26%
- KwaNobuhle Reservoir 2 – 0%
- KwaNobuhle Reservoir 1 – 22%
- Bloemendal Reservoir – 24%
- Bethelsdorp Reservoir – 30%
- Motherwell Reservoir – 19%
Parts of the following areas are experiencing low-pressure water distribution:
KwaNobuhle, Motherwell, Rosedale, Kabah, Langa, Mountain View, Fairbridge Heights, iKamvelihle, Wells Estate, Bluewater Bay, St George's, Walmer Township, Walmer, Glen Hurd, Newton Park, Schauderville, Mangold Park, Greenacres, Perridgevale, Adcockvale, Parsons Hill, Glendinningvale, Mill Park, Linkside, Mount Croix, Richmond Hill, Central, Rowallan Park, Greenbushes, Bridgemead, Hunters Retreat, Kabega, Parsons Ridge, Parsonsvlei, Francis Evatt Park, Morningside, Baywest, Sherwood, Lorraine, Malabar, Barcelona, Gelvandale, Bloemendal Extensions, Chatty, Booysens Park, 7 Delaan, Walmer Heights, Greenshields Park, Fairview and Walmer Downs.
Top stories
WATER SUPPLY RESTORED IN MOST AREAS AS NMBM CONTINUES TO STABILISE THE SYSTEM June 23, 2026
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe has expressed her gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by residents and businesses across the Metro while the Municipality faced severe water shortages due to a number of c...
NMBM LAUNCHES FOOD SAFETY AND PESTICIDE AWARENESS PROGRAMME June 23, 2026
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has today, 23 June 2026, commenced a programme to raise awareness and empower shop owners through workshops on food poisoning and pesticide handling following the alleged poisoning cases recently experienced within...