Nelson Mandela Bay Urges Water Savings Ahead of River Canal Shutdown

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has made a pressing appeal to both residents and businesses to significantly reduce water usage as the final shutdown of the critical Sundays River Canal is scheduled to begin on Friday, 9 May 2025, and continue until Tuesday, 13 May 2025. This crucial infrastructure intervention aims to complete essential rehabilitation work that has been years in the making and is pivotal to securing the metro’s long-term water supply.

Background: A System Under Strain Since 2017

The Sundays River Canal is the lifeblood of the metro’s water system, supplying nearly 60% of Nelson Mandela Bay’s total water consumption. However, its stability has been in jeopardy since 17 May 2017, when a major structural collapse triggered the implementation of emergency measures. These included the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lining and temporary earthworks to maintain water flow. While these quick fixes succeeded in restoring partial functionality, they were never intended as long-term solutions.

For over four years, these temporary installations have served the city—posing mounting risks to the security of the water supply network. According to Khanyisa Mafaya, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure and Engineering, the urgency to replace these makeshift solutions with permanent rehabilitation has become critical.

Permanent Rehabilitation in Progress

The Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with the Sundays River Irrigation Board, launched a formal rehabilitation project in June 2024. Since then, two shutdowns were conducted to initiate tie-in works—preparatory steps essential for integrating new infrastructure with the old. The upcoming third and final shutdown will focus on securing downstream slabs at a crucial junction point along the canal.

“This is a pivotal phase,” MMC Mafaya stated. “We’re dealing with legacy infrastructure that’s been vulnerable for years. This shutdown allows us to finally anchor the long-term resilience of our water delivery systems.”

Limited Supply During Shutdown: Areas at Risk

The expected 77-hour construction period from 9 to 13 May will drastically reduce the flow capacity of the canal system. Joseph Tsatsire, Senior Director of Water Distribution, warned that water production from the Nooitgedagt scheme will drop to 70 million litres per day, a significant reduction from its usual 250 million litres (250 ML).

“This reduced output will primarily support regions like Motherwell, Bluewater Bay, Despatch, and Kariega,” said Tsatsire.

To cope with this shortfall, water will be rerouted from Coega Kop Water Treatment Works (WTW) to bolster the Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Markman. Additionally, inner-city boreholes will be activated to further supplement the supply.

Municipality’s Strategy and Appeal to the Public

To minimise service disruptions, the municipality has consolidated all available water resources and is implementing adaptive distribution strategies. Nonetheless, both Tsatsire and Mafaya have reiterated that public cooperation is vital.

“We’re calling on everyone to immediately reduce water usage. Even a slight increase in demand during this period could result in unplanned water cuts in vulnerable zones,” Mafaya cautioned.

The city will closely monitor consumption patterns and maintain open communication with the public. Ward councillors, social media platforms, community radio stations, and local media will be used to issue updates or advisories as necessary.

What Residents Should Do

Residents are strongly advised to:

• Store emergency water safely before the shutdown begins.

• Postpone non-essential water use such as washing cars, filling pools, and extensive gardening.

• Check for and fix leaks promptly.

• Use greywater for toilet flushing or outdoor cleaning.

A Pivotal Moment for Water Security

This rehabilitation marks the final chapter in a long-standing effort to reinforce Nelson Mandela Bay’s water infrastructure. Once completed, the refurbished canal is expected to provide greater resilience and operational efficiency, potentially shielding the city from similar crises in the future.

The municipality assures the public that every effort is being made to complete the work within the designated timeframe of 77 hours, but urges patience and responsibility during this vital period.