PE is set to be without water for the coming days. (SABC)
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Businesses in Port Elizabeth's biggest shopping centre, Greenacres, have had to close their doors after their taps ran dry. Water shortages have hamstrung the city after two main supply water pipes burst. Municipal officials say they are re-routing water to areas without any water.
Water tankers have been provided to supply hospitals and an operational centre has been set up to manage water supply. Repairs are expected to take at least five days. Consumers have been urged to use water sparingly.
Several suburbs in Port Elizabeth have run out of water. This follows the collapse of two main supply water pipes to the city.
Summerstrand, Fernglen, Overbakens, Newton Park and Greenacres are affected, but many others will be without water in the next few days while repairs are being done.
The water supply from the Churchill and Mpofu Dams had to be turned off. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality is supporting residents with water tankers.
Residents have been urged to cut down drastically on water consumption. It's estimated that the 700 mm diameter steel pipe will take five days to repair, while the one meter diameter concrete pipe about two weeks.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Port Elizabeth have enough water to see them through the next few days and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has provided water tanks to them as they deliver an emergency service.
