Between 2015 and 2023, Gqeberha endured its longest drought in recorded history. As dam levels plummeted and the city inched dangerously close to disaster, hundreds of boreholes were drilled by residents, the municipality and NGOs in a race to secure alternative water sources.
But quantity is only one part of the story. Without careful planning and long-term strategy, over-extraction and aquifer depletion can cause as much harm as water scarcity. That’s where new research by Mandela University PhD student Bamanye Vandala, assisted by Department of Geosciences head, Dr Gaathier Mahed, steps in.
Published in Sustainable Water Resources Management (July 2025), the article titled ‘Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) site suitability in the Nelson Mandela Bay: the application of multi-criteria decision analysis techniques’ details a forward-looking approach to groundwater management that could reshape how local governments prepare for droughts.
GOING TO GROUND: Nelson Mandela University researcher and PhD student, Bamanye Vandala
From drought to decision support
"The motivation came during the height of the drought in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, when dam levels dropped to a record low of 10%," explains Vandala.
"I was on a field trip with my supervisor, Dr Mahed, and we started discussing more sustainable approaches to water and groundwater security."
Their solution? A scientific framework known as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR), where excess water is stored underground during wetter periods for use during dry spells.
Vandala's research focused on assessing the feasibility of MAR in Gqeberha using a spatial model built from geological, hydrogeological and water quality datasets.
The model integrates a technique called Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to identify areas where aquifer recharge would be most effective and sustainable.
"This tool is crucial because it gives local authorities an idea on how to manage and augment groundwater resources," Vandala says.
Misconceptions and missed opportunities
South Africans often assume that groundwater is a limitless resource—but the reality is more complex. "It's highly variable, especially in fractured rock aquifers, and easily impacted by over-extraction, contamination and climate variability," says Vandala. "Drilling a borehole does not guarantee a sustainable supply."
Gqeberha narrowly avoided a full Day Zero scenario thanks to last-minute groundwater augmentation and fortuitous rainfall. But with climate change making such crises more common, researchers say it’s time to shift from emergency responses to long-term water resilience.
"My research contributes to climate adaptation by supporting nature-based solutions like MAR that enhance groundwater resilience," Vandala explains. "It also offers alternatives when surface water infrastructure fails or becomes unreliable."
A model with real-world impact
The MAR suitability maps produced in this study could be game-changers for local and provincial governments. They offer a roadmap for strategic borehole placement, recharge basin siting, and integration with land-use and infrastructure plans.
"Municipalities can use this framework as a decision-support tool for MAR planning and drought preparedness," says Vandala. "It promotes cost-effective infrastructure investments based on hydrogeological suitability."
He adds that community involvement is also vital. "Communities can monitor water use, report borehole performance, and participate in awareness programmes. This builds ownership and ensures that interventions like MAR are maintained and used responsibly."
Looking ahead
Working with fractured aquifers presents real challenges—data is scarce, and the geology complex. But the potential benefits make the effort worthwhile. Vandala hopes to see the model replicated in other semi-arid or drought-prone parts of South Africa.
"Each spatial model can be tailored with local data, but the methodology remains transferable. I’d like to see this work integrated into the national MAR maps."
In a city where rainfall is unpredictable and dam storage limited, groundwater may be the silent hero of water security. But as Vandala and Mahed's research shows, science, planning and community effort will determine whether this hidden lifeline is protected or depleted.
What is Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)?
Managed Aquifer Recharge is the process of intentionally storing water in underground aquifers for future use. It can involve redirecting surface water, treated wastewater or stormwater into aquifers through infiltration basins or boreholes. MAR helps buffer against droughts, prevents over-reliance on dams, and supports long-term water resilience in arid and semi-arid regions.
Bamanye Vandala is a PhD student in the Department of Geosciences at Nelson Mandela University. His research on groundwater modelling in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality explores how spatial decision tools can support water planning in drought-prone areas. He is affiliated with the AEON Earth Stewardship Science Research Institute, where he collaborates on climate adaptation and groundwater awareness projects across the Eastern Cape.