The Sundays River Canal, a key component of Nelson Mandela Bay’s water supply infrastructure, is officially back in full operation after repair work was completed on schedule, the Department of Water and Sanitation confirmed this week.
The canal, which provides around 60% of the metro’s water, has undergone permanent rehabilitation following its collapse in May 2017. Temporary measures had kept it functional for more than four years, but concerns about long-term water security remained until the final tie-in and slab repairs were completed this month.
The Department, working alongside the Sundays River Irrigation Board, began major repairs in June 2024. The final 10-day shutdown period allowed for essential downstream reinforcement and system integration.
MMC for Infrastructure and Engineering, Buyelwa Mafaya, expressed gratitude to residents for their cooperation during the shutdown.
“We thank our residents for decreasing their water consumption during this critical time. It helped mitigate the impact of shortages,” said Mafaya.
According to Director for Water and Sanitation, Barry Martin, distribution is now back to normal, and reservoirs are being refilled—a process expected to take up to five days. However, ongoing power outages have delayed water transfer to the Bethelsdorp and Chelsea reservoirs.
“We ask residents in these areas to continue using water sparingly,” said Martin.
During the shutdown, the metro had to rely heavily on alternative sources like the Nooitgedagt Scheme, which could only supply 70 megalitres per day compared to the usual 250. The system held, but authorities say the completion of the canal project significantly reduces the risk of future water disruptions.
The successful completion marks a crucial milestone for the region’s water resilience efforts as the winter season begins.
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