Ward 12 Nelson Mandela Bay

WHY IS THERE NO WATER IN YOUR TAPS:
Maintenance issues at Nooitgedacht and Kabah Water Treatment plants means we can’t produce bulk water optimally at these plants. Add to this the fact that there are 7500 unattended leaks in the system currently and a massive deficit exists which means there are not enough water for everyone (although our dams runneth over)

WHY CAN’T THE METRO FIX POTHOLES:
This is a bit baffling but apparently there is no contract available to purchase tar. This is why civil society and the DA is now funding certain pothole repairs. This is mostly done with cold tar which is a temporary solution. There are currently an estimated 20 000 potholes in NMB-we can’t self fund even 10% of those repairs.

WHY CAN’T THE CITY FIX STREETLIGHTS:
There was corruption with a R35 million streetlight tender that has been investigated by the SIU. Over a period of more than two years the backlog in streetlight repairs grew to a staggering 22000 (nearly one out of every two). Late last year the City rolled out a new tender for streetlights. However the contract was mismanaged and most contractors downed tools as they were not being paid. It now seems as if there is not enough money to pay contractors in the current financial year.

WHY CAN’T I REPORT COMPLAINTS AT THE CALL CENTRE OR MUNICIPAL APP:
All landlines and internet connections in the metro are offline due to non-payment to the service provider. The metro says ‘it’s because of a dispute on the account’ but it would seem that non-payment is the cause. The cellphones of ward councillors are now the only entry point into the system BUT that is the same line the must used to phone officials to try and resolve issues. So imagine a ward with on average 20000 people all trying to phone their ward councillor in order to report something. It’s a stuff-up of note.

WHAT CAN I DO?
Forget rates boycotts or protesting. Channel your anger into positive change. This weekend is registration weekend. There is but one way out of this mess and it’s a political solution. The DA can fix this mess but then YOU must appoint us. Ask yourself if are YOU doing enough to convince the apathetic potential voters to go and register so that they can vote. Those that think they are immune to the lack of service delivery? There is no borehole deep enough or solar system big enough to isolate you from a collapsing City. When a City collapses businesses and people disinvest. This is why we fight together in order to get NMB working again.

Not convinced yet? Check our offer out here:

https://ec.da.org.za/2025/10/our-vision-for-our-city

Now let’s roll up our sleeves and fix this mess.🇿🇦

Retief Odendaal

Our Vision for Our City As crime spirals municipality again postpones crucial NMB Safety and Security Committee meeting11 Jun 2026 in Press Statements

WATER DISRUPTIONS AFFECTING PARTS OF THE METRO

18 June 2026

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality wishes to provide residents with a comprehensive update on the current water supply challenges affecting large parts of the metro.

Despite the metro’s dams being at full capacity following the heavy flooding experienced during the first week of May 2026, residents continue to experience intermittent water supply, low water pressure and, in some areas, complete water outages. These disruptions are the result of several operational challenges that have severely impacted the city’s ability to produce and distribute treated water consistently.

Key Factors Contributing to Water Supply Disruptions

1. High Turbidity in Raw Water Sources
The severe flooding significantly increased the turbidity (mud and sediment content) of raw water entering the treatment works. Existing treatment infrastructure was not designed to process water with such extreme turbidity levels, resulting in treatment plants operating at reduced efficiency and producing less than half of their normal output at certain times.

2. Power Supply Interruptions
Critical water infrastructure, including the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works, Lorrie Water Treatment Works, Motherwell Booster Pump Station and Schoonie Pump Station, experienced intermittent power disruptions during May and June. These interruptions affected both water production and the ability to pump water to reservoirs across the metro.

3. Chemical Supply Challenges
The treatment of drinking water relies on a consistent supply of specialised chemicals. Delays in deliveries, logistical challenges, quality concerns and contractual issues have resulted in intermittent shortages, reducing production capacity at treatment facilities.

4. Excessive Water Consumption
Current daily water consumption in Nelson Mandela Bay is approximately 380 million litres per day, significantly exceeding the target demand of 280 million litres per day. This excessive demand places immense pressure on an already strained system and contributes to reservoir depletion.

Reservoir Levels Critically Low

The cumulative impact of these challenges has left many strategic reservoirs operating at critically low levels, with some reservoirs nearly empty. The water supply system is currently operating under severe strain, making it highly vulnerable to any operational interruption.

Particularly concerning reservoir levels include:

* Chelsea Reservoir – 7%
* Emerald Hill Reservoir – 2%
* Heatherbank Reservoir – 3%
* Lovemore Heights Reservoir – 4%
* Gelvandale Reservoir – 2%
* Greenbushes Reservoir – 13%
* Fort Nottingham Reservoir – 7%
* Fairview Reservoir – 11%
* Rosedale Reservoir – 0%

These low levels are affecting water supply across multiple zones and suburbs throughout the metro.

Areas Experiencing Water Interruptions and Low Pressure

Residents in the following areas are currently experiencing no water or low water pressure:

* Parts of Rosedale
* Kabah and Langa
* Mountain View
* MacNaughton
* Fairbridge Heights
* Motherwell
* iKamvelihle
* Wells Estate
* Bluewater Bay
* St George’s
* Walmer Township
* Walmer (7th to 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
* Rowallan Park
* Greenbushes
* Bridgemead
* Hunters Retreat
* Kabega
* Parsons Ridge
* Parsonsvlei
* Francis Evatt Park
* Morningside
* Baywest
* Sherwood
* Lorraine
* Malabar
* Barcelona
* Gelvandale
* Walmer Heights
* Greenshields Park
* Fairview
* Walmer Downs
* KwaNobuhle

Immediate Interventions Underway

To stabilise the system and support affected communities, the municipality is implementing several emergency measures:

* Deployment of water tankers to priority areas experiencing prolonged outages.
* Continuous optimisation of water treatment and pumping operations to maximise available supply.
* Close monitoring and management of reservoir levels across all supply zones.
* Ongoing efforts to secure and stabilise chemical supplies required for water treatment.
* Public awareness campaigns encouraging residents to reduce water consumption.

The municipality urgently appeals to all residents and businesses to use water responsibly and avoid unnecessary consumption. Every litre saved helps preserve reservoir levels and improves the municipality’s ability to maintain supply to all communities.

Residents are encouraged to report water leaks immediately and to limit water usage to essential household needs only while the system remains under severe pressure.

The municipality acknowledges the frustration and inconvenience experienced by residents and assures communities that all available resources are being mobilised to restore stability to the metro’s water supply network.

Today I wrote to the Mayor, City Manager and ED of I&E.

See email below:

Dear Executive Mayor, City Manager and Executive Director: Infrastructure & Engineering,

I write to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the ongoing water outages affecting residents in the Chelsea supply zone, including Rowallan Park, Kabega Park, Parsons Vlei Morningside, and surrounding areas.

On 15 June 2026, the Municipality issued a statement advising residents that significant improvements had been achieved at Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works, that production had increased to approximately 195 megalitres per day, and that a gradual recovery of the system was anticipated over the coming days.

Yet today, 16 June 2026, many residents remain without water. In some areas, water returned briefly before supply was once again lost as reservoir levels dropped. Residents have now endured repeated outages, dry taps, low pressure, and a continuous cycle of uncertainty.

While residents appreciate the communication being provided, updates alone do not fill reservoirs or supply homes with water. Communities are increasingly frustrated by the gap between assurances of improvement and the reality experienced on the ground.

I therefore request that your offices urgently provide:

• Current reservoir levels across the affected supply zones, particularly Chelsea Reservoir.
• A detailed explanation as to why residents remain without water despite the reported increase in production at Nooitgedagt.
• A clear recovery plan with realistic timelines for the restoration of stable supply.
• Details of emergency interventions being implemented to support affected communities.
• Daily public updates until normal service is restored.

Access to water is a basic service and residents have shown remarkable patience throughout this crisis. However, that patience is wearing thin as households continue to wake up to dry taps despite repeated assurances that the system is improving.

I urge your offices to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and to provide affected residents with clear answers and decisive action.

I look forward to your response.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

Good morning Residents,

The power was restored in Parsons Ridge this morning but unfortunately tripped again.

This has been reported and I will update with more info as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

Follow Whatsapp Channel for Quick Updates below:

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajAqasE50UmOijewy34

Good morning Residents,

Please note that there is currently a delay in refuse collection in the following areas:

• Morningside
• Kabega Park
• Francis Evatt Park
• Bridgemeade
• Parsonsvlei
• Wonderview
• Van der Stel
• Westering
• Bramhope
• Linton Grange

The delay is due to a shortage of available refuse collection trucks. Municipal teams will attend to these areas and catch up on collections as soon as vehicles become available.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

🚰 WATER SUPPLY UPDATE | 17:20

The Municipality has advised that high turbidity levels at the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works continue to limit the amount of water that can be treated and supplied without compromising water quality.

As a result, the Chelsea Reservoir is again at a low level, and some residents may continue to experience low pressure or intermittent water supply.

I will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

💧Water truck is at Hunters Shopping Centre.
8 June 2026 @ 13:40

Refuse Collection Update:

5 June 2026

I have just received an update from the depot at 11:50.

The affected areas are still awaiting a refuse truck, as the available truck is currently completing its first route.

Collection will commence as soon as the truck becomes available.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

Good morning Residents,

Please be advised that there will be a delay in refuse collection today due to operational challenges.

The affected areas are: • Morningside • Kabega Park • Francis Evatt Park • Bridgemeade • Parsons Vlei • Van der Stel

The collection teams are working to resolve the situation and services will resume as soon as possible.

Kind regards,
Cllr Vernon Boggenpoel
Ward 12 NMBM

🚨Instruction and Immediate Actions:

• Suspend classes from Wednesday, 03 June 2026 to Thursday, 04 June 2026 in all flagged areas as high risk during this period.

• In other areas in the province, District Directors must assess the situation, prioritize safety, avoid any possible loss of life and ensure that learners, staff members and officials are permitted to go to work only when it is safe to do so.

• School principals must arrange alternative communication channels for Schoolwork.