As the Eastern Cape continues to battle the ravages of an ongoing drought, farmers in the province are increasingly turning to technology to keep the effects of the water crisis at bay. This is particularly evident in the Gamtoos Valley where a number of farmers have notched up considerable success in the face of adversity – including a 60% reduction in their annual water allocation for 2017/18. One of these is Leon de Koning of the farm Highlands, who grows and packages an extensive … [Read more...] about Technology combats water crisis
water crisis
AfriCoast’s smart waste-water engineering will boost PE supply
AN INNOVATIVE system to utilise return effluent from the Cape Recife Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), designed by leading local firm, AfriCoast Consulting Engineers, will significantly increase the water available for industrial and irrigation use – and, in turn, reduce demand on Port Elizabeth’s precious fresh water supply. Return effluent is treated, purified sewage water that, instead of being released back into nature or the ocean, is returned for industrial utilisation, irrigation and … [Read more...] about AfriCoast’s smart waste-water engineering will boost PE supply
Water crises in Port Elizabeth as pipe bursts
Some suburbs in Port Elizabeth are facing a water shortage after two major pipelines that supply the city with water from the Churchill and Impofu Dams collapsed near Van Stadens. Water from the remaining two sources, Loerie and Nooitgedagt (Gariep Dam) are being rerouted to limit the number of areas that will be affected. Staff are already busy with this, and large construction equipment is being moved to the damaged pipelines for the construction to commence. The areas that will be affected … [Read more...] about Water crises in Port Elizabeth as pipe bursts
Electricity All Up and One Area Still Without Water
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality confirms that the power outage at the Kestellhof substation has been fixed and that residents of Perridgevale, Port Elizabeth and surrounding areas are now receiving electricity. Any isolated household or street that does experience a power failure must please report this to the Electricity call centre at 041 506 5595 or 041 374 4434 that the problem can be investigated. As far as the water situation is concerned, Mr Barry Martin, NMBM Director of Water … [Read more...] about Electricity All Up and One Area Still Without Water
Second Port Elizabeth Pipeline Commissioned and Flowing
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is pleased to report that the second of the two pipelines (the 1000 mm concrete pipeline) washed away by the heavy rains some two weeks ago has been commissioned ahead of schedule. This is good news for the longer term security of water supply to our city, and water has already started to flow, but it will take two to three days to become part of the supply. Our water situation is therefore still under stress and residents are again asked to use water … [Read more...] about Second Port Elizabeth Pipeline Commissioned and Flowing
Residents urged to continue to conserve water
Confirmation has been received from Mr Barry Martin, NMBM Director of Water and Sanitation, that the minimum supply of water has been restored to all areas of the Metro, including the streets in Gelvandale that had no supply yesterday. However, a strong appeal is made to all residents to continue to use water sparingly and keep their consumption as low as possible. Mr Martin added: "The Municipality wishes to thank residents for their cooperation and understanding over recent days, but … [Read more...] about Residents urged to continue to conserve water
Isolated Schauderville Streets Still Without Water
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality's effort to work around the clock to restore water supply, to the areas that are normally fed from the Churchill pipeline system that supplies a third of the city, paid dividends on Thursday afternoon, leaving Municipal staff to concentrate on restoring supply to remaining isolated streets in Schauderville. All other areas in Nelson Mandela Bay are restored after two pipelines washed away during the early hours of August 2 leaving the municipality unable to … [Read more...] about Isolated Schauderville Streets Still Without Water
And the Summerstrand Water Crisis Updates Roll in faster than water to your taps
Stanford Slabbert writes: The position as at 12 noon earlier today. There will be one WATER-TANK TRUCK in front of the TOTAL GARAGE, Admirality Way. And one WATER-TANK TRUCK in the parking area of SUMMERBREEZZ SPAR OR in front of the SASOL GARAGE, Strandfontein Rd. The problem has been fixed by the NMBM but the pressure of the water to fill the reservoir is still low and therefore water will come later today. Please be aware that the water should be boiled for a couple of minutes … [Read more...] about And the Summerstrand Water Crisis Updates Roll in faster than water to your taps
Summerstrand Water Crisis Update
Stanford Slabbert writes: With regards my last updated email from yesterday 5.30pm. The NMBM JOC Centre did confirm that the entire Metro will be with water last evening. I have been sadly surprised, as you all, to find out that the water saga was not finished this morning. The NMBM Water Department is still sitting in a meeting to solve the water problem for Summerstrand and other suburbs in the city. Two reservoirs are supplying Summerstrand, one supplies water for the bottom of … [Read more...] about Summerstrand Water Crisis Update
Water crisis: NMMU still without water
Despite assurances from Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality that water would be restored to NMMU by 6:00 pm yesterday, the North, South and Second Avenue campuses are still without water. This means many of the NMMU toilets are blocked. Even though plumbers are on site, a lack of water means that the problem cannot easily be fixed. In terms of toilets students and staff are being requested to please use the following ablutions: South Campus: Buildings 12 and 13 and the Main Building North … [Read more...] about Water crisis: NMMU still without water
Parkridge and Portions of Summerstrand Still Without Water
Dean Biddulph writes: I regret that not all areas of Summerstrand are being supplied yet and agree that affected residents have every right to feel angry and frustrated. The Herald this morning indicated that Parkridge has no water and that parts of other areas including portions of Summerstrand had yet to be restored. The ward office contacted Barry Martin, head of water for the metro this morning to try and ascertain exactly when this portion of Summerstrand will be back on line and … [Read more...] about Parkridge and Portions of Summerstrand Still Without Water
Water Crisis, Summerstrand Residents – Don’t Panic
Stanford Slabbert writes: I called the NMBM JOC Water Department at 5.30 pm exactly today and they confirm that the entire Summerstrand will have access to water in a couple of hours. They are waiting to have the reservoir full of water before opening the main tap for this area. The water-tank truck is at the Mercado Centre - Summerbreezz Spar for the rest of the evening. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please DO NOT PANIC. Stanford Slabbert Related: The Real … [Read more...] about Water Crisis, Summerstrand Residents – Don’t Panic
Van Stadens pipeline fixed way ahead of schedule
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Acting Executive Director for Infrastructure and Engineering, Mr Barry Martin, shared the news with a team of journalists earlier today that the 700mm diameter steel pipe had been fixed before 6:00 am this morning. This comes after initial predictions on Thursday, when the two pipelines supplying water from the Churchill/Impofu dams were washed away due to flooding (Editors Notes - See: Friday Rant – The Real Reason Why the Van Stadens Water Pipes Broke), … [Read more...] about Van Stadens pipeline fixed way ahead of schedule
Friday Rant – The Real Reason Why the Van Stadens Water Pipes Broke
The water pipes across the van Stadens River have always had a significant leak. These pipes exit the sand dunes pretty high up and do not lie in water. During the recent drought it was not viable to scour and seal the leaking pipes as the amount of water that would have been lost in this operation would have been significant. Bear in mind that some estimates are that 40% of the water loss occurs from Dam to Meter - i.e. due to such leaks and faulty air valves in the pipeline which runs along … [Read more...] about Friday Rant – The Real Reason Why the Van Stadens Water Pipes Broke
Request to urgently close carwashes in water stressed areas
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality urgently calls on owners of carwashes in Central, Deal Party, Summerstrand, Charlo, Newton Park, Walmer, Humewood, North End, Korsten, Struandale, Mount Pleasant, Lovemore Park, Lovemore Heights, Algoa Park, Struandale, Gelvandale, Gelvan Park as well as parts of New Brighton and KwaZakhele to consider closing their businesses until water supply return to normal in the city. This follows after two pipelines that supply the city with water from the Churchill … [Read more...] about Request to urgently close carwashes in water stressed areas
