Metro water crisis as main supply pipes collapse

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is working around the clock to repair two major pipelines that broke, leading to a looming water crisis.

The municipality convened a media briefing on Thursday where senior officials, including mayor Zanoxolo Wayile, issued an urgent appeal to consumers to use water sparingly.

The municipality says recent heavy rains led to the ground giving way and subsequent collapse of two main water pipes situated in the Van Stadens area.

Work to repair the pipeline, which feeds water from the Churchill and Mpofu Dam, has already started but will takes several days complete.

Municipal officials say the water currently in resevoirs will run dry within 24 hours if water is not used sparingly.

Dozens of suburbs, including industrial areas, will be affected.

Meanwhile, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber has added its voice to appeals to consumers to use water sparingly.

Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber CEO, Kevin Hustler, says he hopes business can play its part in conserving water.

"Knowing that a lot of business processes take water into great account in there production we would encourage them just revitalising there water saving measures as best they can we certainly hope that business is not brought to a standstill during this time and we certainly hope that the Metro will put all efforts in 24/7 to ensure that the water supply is re-instated as fast and effectively as possible" Hustler said.