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Shocking NMB Water Waste Woes: Is the Municipality Drowning in Apathy?

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South Africans and thirsty Nelson Mandela Bay residents, the numbers are in, and they paint a critical picture of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supply. Whilst one significant dam level has increased, the biggest leak isn’t in the Western Region; it’s in our municipal infrastructure.

Here are the facts:

  • 65% of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water comes from the Gariep Dam, which saw rising levels throughout 2025.
  • Nelson Mandela Bay has a TOTAL reliance on external water sources (Free State and Sarah Baartman Districts).
  • 35% of the municipalities water comes from dams to the west, four of which fall within the Sarah Baartman District.
  • BUT… 60% of that water is lost BEFORE it reaches consumers taps due to municipal infrastructure failure.

What does that mean? The municipality is responsible for wasting 223 Million Liters per day (MLD).

That is equivalent to losing 90 OLYMPIC-SIZED SWIMMING POOLS DAILY.

We are importing water from across the country, only for more than half of it to disappear through broken pipes. We cannot afford this waste.

How We Fight Back:

We must turn this data into collective action. We can’t wait for the municipality to fix it; we have to develop our own pressure map.

  1. Join the Discussion: What is the water pressure like in your street? Have you reported a leak with zero feedback?
  2. Report the Leaks: Share your municipal reference number on the forum. We use this data to escalate entire neighborhoods, bypassing the call center queue.

Don’t just watch the 90 Olympic size pools drain daily. Take control.

Join the MyNMB Forum to express your feelings, share solutions and vent!

#NelsonMandelaBay #Gqeberha #NMBWaterCrisis #ServiceDelivery #CommunityAction #TheMyNMBWay

Infographic:

Where Nelson Mandela Bay Gets It’s Water From

Links:

Read More on MyPR.co.za

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.