15 Jul 2022 | 10:50 AM UTC
South Africa: Severe water supply constraints likely to continue in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality through August /update 3
Water supply constraints are likely to persist in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, through August.
Event
A drought-related water shortage is likely to persist in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality through at least the end of August. Dam levels feeding the municipality's water supply were at 14.87 percent capacity on July 14; usable dam storage is at 2.42 percent. Officials have implemented several restrictions on water use in recent months. A full list of restrictions is available by clicking here.
Officials may increase restrictions on water usage in the coming weeks should the situation worsen further. Additional limits could impact business operations that rely on large quantities of water. Major transport hubs, including Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport (PLZ), could curtail services if the water supply is restricted. Demonstrations in response to water shortages could also materialize. Protesters could block roads or attack government offices. Security forces will almost certainly deploy to any protests that occur.
Advice
Monitor local media for updates on the situation and related advisories from authorities. Avoid all demonstrations as a precaution. Stock up on drinking water. Confirm alternative water supplies for business operations. Pressure and water quality may be poor; run taps for several minutes before using water. Minimize nonessential water use throughout the outage. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes.
