Update
KNYSNA NEWS - There may be light at the end of the tunnel for the community of Buffelsnek, who have been living without a reliable supply of potable water since 2020, when the Kruisvallei Dam suffered infrastructural damage.
Knysna Municipality is conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a storage dam at Kruisvallei and conducted a site visit to the Buffelsnek community on 28 April to this end.
According to Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola, good progress has been made. "Council has approved the construction of the Kruisvallei Dam in principle, and the project is currently in the implementation readiness preparation stage," he says.
"Everyone is aware that our region is suffering severe water shortages. And we are constantly asking residents to minimise water usage and to adhere to the water restrictions. But we are also actively investigating ways in which we may augment our bulk water sources to ensure future water security for greater Knysna."
OZutari (Pty) Ltd (previously the African subdivision of the Aurecon Group), began exploring such opportunities on behalf of the municipality in 2020. "The investigation services included site reconnaissance by specialists, detailed topographical mapping and preliminary geotechnical and material investigations," Sebola explains.
"Naturally, a dam feasibility assessment was conducted, along with environmental and social screening, heritage and biodiversity specialist studies and lobbying for funding."
He notes that it is a time-consuming process with many procedures to be followed. Further studies are to be conducted to inform the compilation of business plans that will be necessary to access funding from provincial or national governments.
Members of the community are optimistic about the progress that is being made to supply them with a reliable source of running water. They hope that the discussions regarding the provision of running water will further catalyse the municipality to address the other infrastructural issues in the area.
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