URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Burst water pipe to affect water supply

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A potential water crisis in Port Elizabeth and the surrounding areas has arisen due to the collapse of a major water pipe that carries water from Churchill dam to the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.

The pipe has collapsed due to the recent heavy rainfalls, and may leave large parts of Nelson Mandela Bay without water over the next few days. The burst pipe has left only the water in the reservoirs available, and this could run out within 24 to 72 hours, depending on usage.

Repairs to the pipeline will take between 3 and 5 days, therefore resident have been requested to use water sparingly.

The municipality will be attempting to access additional water from remaining sources and redirect this to affected areas where possible. Water tankers are on standby and areas that run dry are asked to contact 0800205050. Contractors have already been tasked to fix problem.

Mr Barry Martin, Acting Executive Director of Infrastructure and Engineering, said that repair to the pipes, a 700 mm in diameter steelpipe and a 1 000 mm in diameter concrete pipe in the vicinity of the Van Stadens River Resort.

Since these pipelines supply a third of the water supply to the city, some areas will be affected after approximately 24 hours when reservoirs ran dry.


Areas affected are:

Central, Deal Party, Summerstrand, Humewood, Walmer, Fernglen, Mill Park, St George's, Fairview, North End, Korsten, Struandale, Mount Pleasant, Lovemore Park, Lovemore Heights, Algoa Park, Struandale, Gelvandale, Gelvan Park and parts of New Brighton and KwaZakhele.

When areas run without water residence are urged to call the all hours Operational Centre at 0800 20 5050 in order for water tankers to be dispatched.

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 is already busy with this and large construction equipment is being moved to the damage pipelines for the construction to commence.