The water supply in Mbombela and White River remains unstable, leaving many residents without running water.

Several areas are currently reliant on water tankers as the City of Mbombela (CoM) and Silulumanzi scramble to restore the system following cable faults at the Nelspruit Water Treatment Works on January 1.

According to Silulumanzi spokesperson Richmond Jele, technical issues have resulted in critically low water pressure in several areas. However, relief is expected soon.

Water pressure in Cedarwood and Mataffin, Ntulo and Old Airport, Milkywood Estate and Leeupaadjie, Kiepersol Estate, and Riverside is expected to improve this afternoon, January 6, and is likely to return to normal tomorrow, January 7.

“To ensure affected residents have access to water, we have deployed tankers and will continue to do so until the system is fully restored. We can say that full supply will be returned to all residents shortly,” Jele said.

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The situation in White River is equally dire. Ward councillor Rowan Torr confirmed that the entire town has been affected after local reservoirs ran completely dry.

“Water is being delivered via tankers. While some areas receive water from canals, approximately 60% of the town’s water is supplied via the Boschrand reservoir. Water and Sanitation teams have temporarily shut off delivery supplies to allow reservoir levels to build up. This is necessary to create enough pressure for the main pumps to reach elevated areas,” he said.

Torr added that Coltshill and Ext 18, TPA Village, and Outeniqua and Impala streets are the most affected areas.

He also noted a recurring human factor complicating the recovery. “Some residents close their own manual feed valves when the water stops and forget to reopen them when the supply returns. It will take time for the reservoirs to stabilise, as demand currently exceeds supply during peak periods,” Torr said.

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CoM spokesperson Joseph Ngala explained that White River faces a unique geographic challenge.

“Because the town sits at the end of the water scheme line, it takes longer to build sufficient pressure. The system must first satisfy the demand of several other large communities, including Hopeville, Phumlani and Msholozi, before water reaches White River’s main infrastructure,” Ngala said.