The municipality reported that rainfall has not been recorded recently, compounding the water scarcity challenge.
The Knysna Municipality has warned that the town is facing an acute water crisis, with only 10 days of supply remaining in the system.
This marks a deterioration from 8 January, when officials indicated there were 13 days left.
According to the municipality, river levels across the Greater Knysna area have reached critically low points.
“Immediate and strict water conservation by all residents and visitors is non-negotiable,” the municipality stated.
Production drops sharply amid drought conditions
The municipality said water production figures reveal the severity of the situation, with output fluctuating significantly in recent days.
It reported that rainfall has not been recorded recently, compounding the water scarcity challenge.
Furthermore, dam levels paint a grim picture, with the Akkerkloof Dam at just 15% capacity and the Balancing Dam even lower at 9.7%.
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Level 4 water restrictions
The municipality has maintained Level 4 water restrictions across the area as authorities attempt to preserve dwindling supplies.
Public facilities have been targeted for conservation measures, with the Knysna Municipality stating that “as a water-saving measure, showers and external taps at ablution facilities and in public spaces remain closed.”
It also issued an additional warning about potential water wastage when the supply is interrupted.
The municipality urged residents to “please ensure that all taps are closed when there is no water supply in your area to prevent water loss once supply is restored.”
The municipality reminded the public that Knysna is fundamentally a water-scarce area facing structural challenges. “The responsible and sparing use of water by all residents and visitors is critical.”
Provincial government mobilises emergency response
Speaking on eNCA, MEC Anton Bredell outlined the multi-pronged approach being taken to address the crisis.
“We pull in our engineers, our geohydrologists with our national colleagues, working together with the municipality to see how can we get extra water in,” Bredel explained.
He said the team has identified two springs that will supply additional water, along with seven boreholes that have already been drilled and are currently undergoing water quality testing.
Infrastructure challenges and water losses
The provincial government is deploying five additional plumbing teams to address water leaks across the municipality.
A significant concern is that 50% of water in the system cannot be accounted for, pointing to substantial losses through leaks and other issues.
Mayor Thando Matika acknowledged that the municipality must accept responsibility for infrastructure failures.
“In terms of poor planning and poor management in terms of infrastructure, because our infrastructure is very old, we still have lots of asbestos pipe which we should have replaced long time ago,” the mayor admitted.
The aging infrastructure results in approximately seven pipe bursts per day.
This is a developing story.
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