Nelson Mandela Bay on Brink of Water Crisis: Dams Near Critical Levels as Drought Plan Activated

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has activated an extensive Drought Mitigation Plan as dam levels supplying the metro edge dangerously close to critical thresholds, following the declaration of a national disaster in the Eastern Cape.

The National Disaster Management Centre in February classified the ongoing drought as a national disaster under the Disaster Management Act (2002), unlocking coordinated national support and underscoring the severity of the crisis.

Dam Levels Drop to Critical Threshold

As of 16 March 2026, combined dam levels in the metro stood at 40.29%, just above the critical 40% benchmark, beyond which water security becomes severely constrained.

• Around 10% of dam capacity is "dead storage", making it unusable

• Effective available water is therefore significantly lower

• In comparison, dam levels stood at 73.85% during the same period in 2025

The sharp decline highlights the impact of prolonged below-average rainfall.

The metro's largest reservoir, Impofu Dam, has dropped dramatically:

• From 55.86% in 2025

• To approximately 39% in 2026

Water Consumption Far Above Sustainable Limits

Despite dwindling reserves, water usage remains alarmingly high:

• Current consumption: 373 million litres per day

• Recommended allocation: ~280 million litres per day

• Excess usage: 93 million litres daily

Officials warn that if consumption is not urgently reduced, the metro could face severe supply restrictions within a short timeframe, raising fears of a repeat of the "Day Zero" crisis experienced just a few years ago.

Comprehensive Drought Mitigation Plan Rolled Out

To stabilise supply and manage demand, the municipality has launched a multi-pronged intervention strategy:

Infrastructure and Supply Measures

• Expansion of the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works

• Upgrades to pump stations and bulk infrastructure

• Development of groundwater sources through strategic wellfields

• Introduction of treated effluent reuse systems

• Exploration of alternative water supply options

System Efficiency Improvements

• Accelerated pipeline rehabilitation and upgrades

• Leak detection and repair programmes

• Bulk metering enhancements

Demand Management Initiatives

• Pressure management to reduce losses

• Public awareness campaigns to encourage water saving

• Enforcement of conservation measures

R80 Million Investment to Strengthen Infrastructure

The municipality has already invested over R80 million in the current financial year to:

• Refurbish aging pipelines

• Rehabilitate pump stations

• Deploy plumbing teams to fix leaks and improve system performance

These efforts aim to reduce water losses and improve overall efficiency in distribution.

Mayor Calls for Urgent Public Action

Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe stressed that infrastructure alone cannot resolve the crisis without behavioural change.

"Water security remains one of the most critical priorities for our metro… but infrastructure alone will not resolve the crisis if consumption remains this high," she said.

She urged residents, businesses, and institutions to drastically reduce water usage, calling for a unified response across society.

"Water security is a shared responsibility… adopting a water-saving lifestyle is essential to protect this critical resource."

A Race Against Time

With dam levels nearing critical lows and consumption still exceeding limits, Nelson Mandela Bay faces a narrow window to avert a full-blown water crisis.

The success of the mitigation plan will depend not only on infrastructure upgrades but also on collective action, strict conservation, and sustained rainfall recovery.