The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has joined efforts to encourage its members to save water.
The Chamber’s Denise van Huyssteen, encouraged businesses across the metro to strengthen their water preparedness by putting appropriate backup measures and solutions in place.
“This combination of factors heightens the risk of water restrictions being implemented, and the potential for pro-longed periods of water-shedding to take place. Businesses should be looking at water security as carrying a similar level of risk to what was experienced during the height of loadshedding in the 2023/24 period. This required that back-up solutions, such as solar power and generators, was in place to ensure business continuity during power disruptions.”
The metro’s supply dams are at a total of 46.63% full, with 37.64% of this being classified as useable.
Last week, Babalwa Lobishe, Mayor of the City, raised alarm at the dwindling water level of the main supplying dam to the City- Impofu dam.
She also said current water use is at 378 million litres per day (MLD), compared to a target of 280 MLD.
But water outages have begun at areas like KwaZakhele and surrounds.
Roaming water trucks are supplying Jacksonville, Zanolwazi High School, Acacia (Rosedale), Muncwane Street, Langa Phase 4, Corner Fiddlewood and Fick Street.
Gift of the Givers, has also begun donating tankers.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman of the Gift of the Givers Foundation said the humanitarian organisation will assist the Metro by providing water tankers, with priority given to schools and clinics.
Lobishe also said the Metro has invested in protecting water resources.
She said about R115 million was ploughed into the Motherwell and Stanford Road Booster Pump Stations.
A further R534 million was invested in Phase 3 of the Nooitgedacht Water Treatment Works project, which increased the facility’s capacity.
To improve water supply challenges in the KwaNobuhle area, R54 million was invested in the KwaNobuhle Pump Station to enhance its capacity and efficiency.
To support economic investments in the Coega area and augment supply to Motherwell, R299 million was invested in the construction and commissioning of the Coegakop Wellfield. This project represents the largest underground water exploration undertaken by the Metro.
An additional R54 million was invested in the St George’s Park Wellfield, securing water supply for the Gqeberha CBD and surrounding areas, which include St George’s Hospital and a provincial government hospital.
Other water infrastructure investments include the Impofu Dam Barges – R63 million, Grassridge Temporary Water Treatment Works – R31 million, Bloemendal to KwaNobuhle Pipeline – R24 million, Bushy Park Wellfield – R70 million (to support the western areas) and the Moregrove Wellfield at R51 million.
“While we sincerely apologise to residents for the inconvenience, it is encouraging to see that the investments we have made are helping to mitigate the impact during times of crisis. We are closely monitoring the recovery process and continue to redirect and augment supply in areas that remain severely affected. As these challenges persist, we urge residents to use water sparingly” said Lobishe.
Picture: Supplied