15/07/2026
WATER UPDATE | 15 JULY 2026
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality advises residents that repairs to the 500mm bulk water pipeline along the Motherwell–Chelsea pipeline near Joe Slovo West were completed and the system continues to recover, with most affected consumers now receiving water.
However, a power disruption at the Elandsjagt Water Treatment Works has reduced production, affecting water volumes in the Churchill pipeline and impacting pumping to several supply zones.
Current water supply status:
🟢 Chelsea Zone – Reservoir at 15%. Water supply has been restored to all consumers.
🟢 Greenbushes Zone – Reservoir at 48%. Most consumers have water, although some high-lying areas, including St Albans, may experience low pressure.
🟡 Heatherbank, Lovemore Heights & Upper Tank Zone – Intermittent pumping due to reduced volumes in the Churchill pipeline is causing water interruptions. Parts of Heatherbank and Lovemore Heights currently have water supply.
🔴 Emerald Hill Zone – Reservoir at 2%. Water disruptions continue. Fairview, Fort Nottingham and Glendinning reservoirs remain critically low, and consumers may experience intermittent water supply.
🟡 Gelvandale & Struandale Zone – Reservoir levels remain low, but water supply is available to most consumers, including Zwide, KwaZakhele, Missionvale and New Brighton.
🟢 Chatty & Reservoir Hills Zone – Chatty Reservoir is above 60% and water has been restored to most affected areas, including Ward 29, Khayamnandi, Joe Slovo and Reservoir Hills.
🟡 End Street, Voortrekker & Tulbach Zone – Reservoirs are recovering. Water supply has been restored to Despatch Town, while Voortrekker and Tulbach reservoirs will continue filling throughout the day. Some consumers may still experience intermittent outages.
🟢 Motherwell Zone – Water supply has been fully restored.
🟢 Van Riebeeck Hoogte & Fairbridge Zone – Stable. All consumers should have water.
🟢 Rosedale, Kamesh & Kabah Zone – Stable with consistent production from Groendal Water Treatment Works. Water supply is available.
🟢 KwaNobuhle Zone – Stable. All consumers should have water.
Areas that may experience low pressure or no water due to low reservoir levels include:
• Walmer Township
• Walmer (7th–14th Avenue)
• Glen Hurd
• Newton Park
• Schauderville
• Mangold Park
• Greenacres
• Perridgevale
• Adcockvale
• Parsons Hill
• Glendinningvale
• Mill Park
• Linkside
• Mount Croix
• Richmond Hill
• High-lying areas of Central
• Parts of Rowallan Park
• Greenbushes
• Malabar
• Barcelona
• Gelvandale
• 7 Delaan
• Walmer Heights
• Greenshields Park
• Fairview
• Walmer Downs
• KwaNobuhle
Current interventions:
✔️ Working with Eskom to restore power to Elandsjagt Water Treatment Works.
✔️ Deploying water tankers to affected communities where required.
✔️ Optimising the water distribution system to ensure equitable supply.
✔️ Maximising production at all operational water treatment works.
✔️ Intensifying leak repairs to reduce water losses.
The Municipality appeals to all residents and businesses to continue using water sparingly and to avoid all non-essential water use while the system remains under pressure. Residents are also encouraged to report water leaks immediately to help reduce water losses.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acknowledges the inconvenience experienced by affected communities and assures residents that every available resource is being utilised to restore and stabilise the metro’s water supply system as quickly as possible. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
