According to Cllr Whitfield, the water
restrictions are part of the contingency plans put in place not only in Nelson
Mandela Bay but a variety of provinces as this is now a national
crisis.
"We remain open for business however the Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality is currently facing water shortages and we encourage all our
visitors to hep us to save water. The levels of our supply dams have reached an
all-time low of just above 24 percent, the latest dam levels as can be viewed on http://www.nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/Residents.aspx?pageID=272
currently reflect Kouga
at 9,95%; Churchill at 18,97%; Impofu at
43,71%; Loerie at 83, 71% and Groendal on 51,80%”.
"The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has implemented many strategies
to prevent the city from completely exhausting all the water supplies and some
of the contingencies include:
· Phase three of the Nooitgedagt Low Level
Scheme comes online this year, after which the entire system will provide a
total of 210 ML a day to the Metro. The Nooitgedacht scheme is the extension of
the Nooitgedacht water-treatment works that treats water from the Gariep Dam
that borders the Free State and Eastern Cape province. The water then flows via
the Orange-Fish River tunnel and a series of connected rivers to the Sundays
River irrigation scheme. From there it is piped, via the treatment works, to
areas which include Port Elizabeth. Nelson Mandela Bay commenced the Phase 1 of
the operation as far back as 2011 in anticipation of water
restrictions.
· Given the dwindling capacity of our Western
Supply Dams, the City has embarked on a Municipality-wide groundwater
exploration programme. For example, high pressure and fast-moving groundwater
below the Coegakop Area could see a number of artesian wells established,
producing approximately 30 ML of water a day.
· The Municipality will also push down
consumption by reducing the velocity and pressure of water moving through pipes.
Additionally, there will be an accelerated infrastructure maintenance and
replacement operation over the next few years, starting
immediately.
· Faulty water meters will be repaired, and
new meters will be installed at households where water supply has been free
flow.
· Water restrictive devices will be installed
at those households or businesses identified as consuming excessive amounts of
water.
· Desalination is part of long-term thinking,
as the technology is very expensive and will require multiyear budgeting. For
now, the measures will almost certainly be sufficient in the short
term.
· Since the drastic decrease in dam levels in
2016, the municipality has intensified its water saving awareness campaign. The
City has also employed more plumbers and improved performance management systems
within the teams that is dedicated to fix water leaks. This has not only
decreased the turnaround time for the fixing of water leaks, it has also led to
the municipality saving of millions of litres of water. Please continue to
report water leaks to 0800 20 50 50.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality continues to encourage tourists
to visit and Businesses to invest in Nelson Mandela Bay. Through implementing
water-wise practices and being conscious of the natural resources visitors,
investors and locals can continue to experience the destination’s offerings
without aggravating consequences on an already severe situation, said Cllr
Whitfield.
"As Nelson Mandela Bay
Municipality we are confident that we will not reach ‘Day Zero’ and we will
continue to support and welcome tourism and investors into our city in order to
maintain economic growth and contribute to job creation opportunities. Water
security is key for investors and travellers alike and that is why our contingency plans have been implemented and
international media and travellers need to be aware of these to mitigate any
negative outcomes or anxiety that could cause a decline in tourism and loss of
potential investments. Travellers and Investors should be aware that they will
not exacerbate the current situation” said Cllr Whitfield.
"Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and
Business Chambers will endeavour to support industry to keep it updated
regularly on the situation. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism will endeavour to keep
stakeholders and visitors informed on Responsible Tourism practices to prevent
those that wish to cancel travel plans to the destination or to prevent future
travellers from being deterred due to the water crisis”.
Issued by: Cllr
Andrew Whitfield
MMC for Economic Development, Tourism and
Agriculture