KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality appeals to all residents of Greater Knysna to continue using water wisely, implement conservation measures and adhere to municipal water restrictions.

As the area heads into its dryer season Knysna Acting Municipal Manager, Bevan Ellman is appealing to all residents to pay attention to their water usage.

“In the past week, (24 – 31 October) Knysna received a mere 6ml of rain and Sedgefield even less, 3mm,” he said, before adding: “Knysna’s only one storage dam, the Akkerkloof Dam is currently 83 per cent full, equating to Knysna having enough water for 50 days. The Akkerkloof dam gets filled by means of pumping water from the Glebe dam, which is currently 83 per cent of capacity.”

The water system between the Glebe and Akkerkloof Dams was upgraded last year which has resulted in more water being pumped to increase the capacity of Knysna’s Akkerkloof Dam.

“We have a project registered to increase the intake from the Knysna River as well, but this will take about three years to complete. Currently we are in discussions with the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation to secure funding for a second storage dam,” explained Ellman.

The Knysna’s target water usage is currently 8Ml/day but residents are utilizing a whopping 12.99Ml/day. Sedgefield residents are far more water conscious with their target being 1.9Ml/day and the actual water usage a little over on 1.98Ml/day.

Knysna’s Desalination plant is up and running and compliments the town’s traditional sources. Currently it produces on average 0.8Ml/day and at peak, 1.368ML/day.

The Karatara River Treatment Works currently provides 2.1ML/day per day. Sedgefield has a water backup in five boreholes that can produce 1.5 to 2ML/day. This Citta Slow Town’s Desalination Plant is currently awaiting environmental approval before it starts to produce water.

“South Africa is a water stressed country and each one of us needs to do our bit to conserve water and to teach others to do the same,” said Ellman.

He added that as the festive season approaches residents need to make a concerted effort in cutting down their water usage and to keep a watchful eye on holiday makers with regard to wasteful water practices

Tips on how to reduce water consumption at home:

• Take a short shower instead of a bath.
• Only flush the toilet when absolutely necessary (preferably using a dual-flush system).
• Set your appliances to economy mode - washing machines and dishwashers.
• Water your garden only at dusk (18:00 to 19:00) on designated days (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for houses with even numbers, and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for houses with odd numbers).
• Use grey water (run-off from the washing machine, sink, shower etc.) in the garden if possible.
• Don't brush your teeth, wash the dishes or shave with the tap running.
• Wash your car with a bucket and not the hose.
• Don't top-up the swimming pool for the time-being

Other measures may also be considered, like installing catchment tanks to store rain water, drilling a borehole or digging a well.

For further water saving tips, visit the municipality's website http://www.knysna.gov.za/be-water-wise.