Knysna is confronting a deepening water crisis as dam levels continue to fall, with residents and businesses facing the real threat of dry taps in the coming days.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina visited the town on Saturday, 17 January, inspecting critical sources, including the Sedgefield/Karatara River system and Akkerkloof Dam, the town’s primary water supply.
During the visit, she also participated in a community engagement at the Khayalethu Community Hall in Ward 7, where residents voiced concerns about the municipality’s handling of water resources.
The minister also convened a meeting with business stakeholders on Sunday, 18 January, at the Knysna Council Chamber, aimed at coordinating urgent interventions and mitigation strategies to prevent a total collapse of the town’s water supply.
According to reports, Akkerkloof Dam was at just 15% capacity as of 16 January, with estimates suggesting only 10 days of water remain at current consumption rates, factoring in ongoing losses.
The municipality currently enforces Level 4 water restrictions, limiting households to 6 kilolitres per month, or roughly 50 litres per person per day in a four-person household.
Despite these measures, water losses continue to escalate. At least 8,000 households are suspected of bypassing water meters illegally, while broken or non-functional meters prevent the municipality from recovering revenue.
Frequent pipe bursts and leaks further compound the problem, wasting precious water at a time when resources are critically low.
In a proactive measure, Knysna Municipality is now reportedly preparing to distribute 1,000 unused wheelie bins for rainwater harvesting, following community suggestions first reported by the Knysna-Plett Herald.
Ward 11 Councillor Russell Arends confirmed the bins, which had been stored for years, will be repurposed to help residents conserve water. However, details about the distribution process remain pending.
Arends highlighted the long-term underinvestment in water infrastructure as a key factor behind the crisis. ‘The original water infrastructure was built more than 30 years ago for a population of about 60,000 people. Knysna now has over 100,000 residents, yet the infrastructure has not been significantly upgraded,’ he said.
He also pointed to staff shortages, noting that while the municipality’s organogram allows for 65 technicians, only 38 are currently employed, leaving a shortfall that severely limits the municipality’s ability to repair leaks and maintain systems.
Residents raised concerns about repeated pipe failures, alleging that some were caused by municipal technicians or contractors and went unaddressed.
Accusations of mismanagement, including the diversion of water tanks by certain councillors, were also reported during Saturday’s engagement.
The municipality has acknowledged these issues, committing to investigations and accountability measures where negligence or misconduct is identified.
Humanitarian support has started arriving, as Gift of the Givers, backed by Africa Tanks and its Pietermaritzburg head office, delivered 12 water tankers to assist the communities most affected by the shortage.
Further political intervention is expected, with Western Cape Premier Alan Winde scheduled to visit Knysna on Tuesday, 20 January.
As dam levels continue to drop, pressure mounts on the municipality to implement decisive measures to safeguard the town’s water supply.
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp Channel for content worth tapping into! Click here to join!
Also read:
Watch: Heavy rains reshape landscapes in Kruger National Park
Picture: Knysna Municipality/Facebook
