Frequently Asked Questions Around the Lifting of Water Restrictions Question: Has the protocol with regards to lifting restrictions changed? The last time restrictions were lifted it was just after the dams went over (a combined) 70% capacity, and it was a matter of a day or two before restrictions were lifted. Please explain. Answer: Water restrictions were introduced based on historic information, i.e. the 2005 drought. When modeling was carried out for the consideration of the … [Read more...] about Why the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Cannot Lift the Water Restrictions
dam levels
Latest Dam Levels as at 5 July
Almost as if the municipality enjoys seeing consumers subjected to drip drip torture whilst they wait for the lifting of water restrictions - the dam level updates are flowing thick and fast. Let us get one thing straight - I agree wholeheartedly that we should continue saving water, what I DON'T agree with is the method being employed by the municipality to enforce said savings. Major Storage Dams supplying Nelson Mandela Bay (5 July 2011) Capacity - Volume of water: Kouga: 100% - 125 … [Read more...] about Latest Dam Levels as at 5 July
Heavier Showers are Expected on Tuesday
The South African Weather Office made a presentation to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre stating that the possibility of moderate to heavy rains for Tuesday, July 5, is good. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will now establish a Joint Operation Centre from 07:00 tomorrow morning as a precautionary measure and to monitor the water levels. This decision was further informed by a prediction of 90% to 100% probability of rain that will hopefully clear up by … [Read more...] about Heavier Showers are Expected on Tuesday
Port Elizabeth has an Available Water Capacity of 6.61 YEARS
If we take the total available water as at 27 June 2011 of 226 462 megalitres and assume that we can only use 70% of it then we get a total available figure of 158 523 megalitres. Average daily consumption has been around the 238 megalitres of water a day mark. Let us assume that if the water restrictions were lifted that the daily consumption figure would increase to 338 megalitres per day. Now let us see just how long that 158 523 megalitres will last by dividing 338 into 158 … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth has an Available Water Capacity of 6.61 YEARS
Over 80% Total Capacity for PE Dam Levels
The municipality remains concerned about the capacity of the Impofu Dam which supplies a majority of the city. Water restrictions remain in place. Major Storage Dam Levels as at 27 June 2011: Kouga: 100% - 125 910 Ml Churchill: 79% - 27 834 Impofu: 54.9% - 58 052 Loerie: 100% - 3 026 Groendal: 100% - 11 640 Average All: 80.4% - 226 462 Ml Rainfall recorded at dam walls (24 to 27 June 2011): Churchill 43,6 mm Impofu 80,2 mm Images of the Kouga and Loerie Dams … [Read more...] about Over 80% Total Capacity for PE Dam Levels
Dam Levels – Time to Stop that Love Me Tender Tendency
Now that we have had our 4 yearly flood and the dams are filling up nicely I need to stop myself from falling back into old habits - my particular vice at the moment is the tendency to stretch that hot shower time just a bit ......... Unfortunately we South Africans seem to have that TENDERpreneur mentality ingrained in us and in times when money, food and water is plentiful we gorge ourselves silly like the original Khomani Desert San inhabitants of South Africa and develop fat buttocks, … [Read more...] about Dam Levels – Time to Stop that Love Me Tender Tendency
The Things I do to Show you the Dam Levels
Fortuitously last weekend saw the Longhair and I's plans to visit the dams thwarted and then once again I failed to crack the nod to visit the dams last Monday despite MyPE's great exposure given to three of the instances involved in taking 'local media' on a scenic trip to observe the dam levels .......... But, I do not give up and when our planned trip to Cape Town fell by the wayside this past weekend we decided to saddle up the old 4x4, chuck the four legged menaces in the back and drive … [Read more...] about The Things I do to Show you the Dam Levels
Food Parcels Distributed to Bay Flood Victims
Thousands of people were left stranded, with only the clothes that they had on - after the more than 140mm rain fell in the Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and surrounding areas, washing away and stranding the homes of many local residents. Many of the flood victims received relief from Uitenhage based Afri-Save Cash & Carry who, together with the Al-Imdaad Foundation under the management of Mr Qari Ziyaad Patel, distributed over 350 food parcels and blankets to the affected victims. Each of … [Read more...] about Food Parcels Distributed to Bay Flood Victims
This is WHY the Water Restrictions Have NOT Been Lifted
The Metro dam levels show a significant improvement at 76.7 % after the recent rains. Please note that the Metro's main dedicated supply dams the Churchill and Impofu are the only ones that are not yet full and we have been informed that it is important to consider this when determining when restrictions are likely to be lifted or whether full or partial water restrictions will be retained. I have also been informed that representatives from the metro will be meeting with the Department of … [Read more...] about This is WHY the Water Restrictions Have NOT Been Lifted
One Day You Will Tell Your Grandchildren about the Drought of 2011
On 12 December 2010 the major dams supplying water to Port Elizabeth had a combined capacity of 31.64% and a drop to below 30% would have seen the introduction of even stricter measures. On a week by week basis MyPE charted the dam levels as they painfully inched up to 36.5% on 10 May 2011 on the back of intermittent rain on 16 May 2011. Then, last week, the heavens opened and the dam levels, over a period of four days, shot up from 45.03% capacity to 65.1% capacity on 10 June 2011 and broke … [Read more...] about One Day You Will Tell Your Grandchildren about the Drought of 2011
A Watery MyPE Top 10
Last week, 90% of the Top 10 most read pages on MyPE centered around watery issues - the flooding and our ever increasing Dam Levels. Of course when something good happens then one sees all kinds of people and organisations popping up and trying to take some of the glory. As one of MyPE's loyal and erudite readers, TheKing, commented here: NMBBC Pleased at Dam Levels - "Soon the ANC will be claiming responsibility for ending our drought..." (visit the article to see the MyPE reply). Back … [Read more...] about A Watery MyPE Top 10
NMBBC Pleased at Dam Levels
Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber had the following to say about the increasing metro dam levels; "Knowing the effect that the water crisis has on businesses and individuals in the Bay, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has this year focused on sharing best water practices among business and promoting water conservation in our region. We are thrilled to see the dams at a current combined average total of 65.1%, and hope only to see that number climb. The Impofu … [Read more...] about NMBBC Pleased at Dam Levels
Dam Levels at 65.1% Today
The average levels of the major supply dams to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality have increased significantly since the start of the heavy rain a few days ago. The level of the Impofu dam is still a cause for concern and we hope that the good inflow into this dam will translate into a much higher level. The capacities of the major storage dams supplying Nelson Mandela Bay, as measured this morning 10 June: Kouga: 83,8% - 107 722 Ml Churchill: 56,1% - 19 929 Ml Impofu: 38,2% - 37 … [Read more...] about Dam Levels at 65.1% Today
Dramatic Rescue of Primary School Children and Teachers After Bridge Collapsed
Five school children and three teachers from the Palmiet River Primary School were dramatically rescued after the bridge between their school, approximately 30 km outside Uitenhage, and the main road collapsed earlier today. The South African Air force came to the rescue with a BK 117 helicopter and transported them across the river where they were handed over in the care of the Uitenhage South African Police Service. They were then transported by vehicle to safety. At 14:00 today the dam … [Read more...] about Dramatic Rescue of Primary School Children and Teachers After Bridge Collapsed
Average Dam Levels at 49.6% Today 9 June
More good news for Port Elizabeth residents as we will the dam levels to exceed the magical figure of 60% total capacity. At that level the lifting of water restrictions will be 'considered'. The capacities of the major storage dams supplying Nelson Mandela Bay, as measured this morning 9 June - Capacity (Rainfall in millimetres): Kouga: 58.1% (35 mm) Churchill: 44% (44 mm) Impofu: 32.5% (46 mm) Loerie: 100% (49 mm) Groendal: 100% (118 mm) Average all: 49,6% of total … [Read more...] about Average Dam Levels at 49.6% Today 9 June
