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5000 Outstanding Water Leaks in NMB – What Now?

By

Dear Editor

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMB) is facing a water leak crisis and the fact that we are losing 42% of our water whilst in the midst of a continuing drought is a massive indictment on the current ANC/EFF/NA/PA coalition government.

The Metro has just averted Day Zero but seems dead-set on repeating the same mistakes. NMB officials admitted to the Drought Joint Operations team last week that there are some 5000 outstanding water leaks in NMB at the moment.

Together with the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Metro has invested over R1,2 billion to implement a number of water augmentation and drought mitigation projects. These include Phase 4 of the Nooitgedagt water scheme and drilling numerous boreholes. Although the focus to date has been on augmenting supply to prevent Day Zero, it is now becoming critical that the Metro maintain and refurbish existing water infrastructure to fix the pipes and plug the holes. On average the Metro has nearly 500 newly reported water leaks every week.

According to the Municipality’s Drought Implementation Plan, fixing all bulk and network water pipeline leaks to reduce leaks and minimise the NRW (non-revenue water) is one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing demand.

The reported average annual NRW figure in Nelson Mandela Bay is 47.4%. (water that the municipality receives no payment for). Of this figure real water losses are 42%. Water losses include unauthorised water usage and real losses through water leaks. Of the reported 290 Ml/day of water produced in the Metro, the actual consumption is approximately 165Ml/day. The balance (47%) is lost to leaks, unauthorised use, theft, and inaccurate metering and billing.

What is very concerning however is the increase in water leaks over the last few months as well as the apparent increase in repair time. Under the DA and its partners in the previous coalition government outstanding water leaks were brought to beneath 1000 by February this year, but now, outstanding water leaks have once again increased to more than 5000.

Despite the good rains experienced over the last few weeks water restrictions remain in place. Whilst consumers must do everything in their ability to reduce their water consumption, the Metro must manage our available water resources far more optimally in order to avert yet another water crisis within the not too distant future.

The DA believes that some of the key focus areas that now require attention are:

  • Update the Water Master Plan.
  • Increase action to repair leaks
  • Identify and replace water pipes that have most leaks.
  • Update aging infrastructure.
  • Address leaks at municipal facilities
  • Removing Alien Vegetation
  • Increase cooperation and assistance from the Business Chamber.
  • Employ Qualified Engineers.
  • Ensuring accurate reading and billing.

The Municipality must come to the party and not pass the buck – saving water is not the sole responsibility of our residents. Together we can prevent another water disaster in the Metro and rescue Nelson Mandela Bay.

Regards

Cllr Dries van der Westhuizen
DA NMB Spokesperson for Infrastructure and Engineering

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