Government steps in on Knysna water crisis

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality hosted senior national and provincial government representatives on Thursday 4 December, for a high-level engagement aimed at addressing the escalating water challenges across greater Knysna.

The session convened engineers, hydrologists, infrastructure specialists and policy leaders to strengthen co-ordination around both immediate and long-term water security measures.

The delegation was led by Graham Paulse, head of the Western Cape Department of Local Government, and included senior officials from the National Department of Water and Sanitation, provincial technical experts and emergency response specialists.

Together with Knysna’s leadership and municipal teams, they assessed water availability, consumption trends and the state of contingency measures currently in place.

Mayor highlights urgency of the situation
Mayor Thando Matika opened the meeting with an overview of the mounting pressures on the local water system - including low rainfall, prolonged regional drought conditions, saline intrusion in key sources and limited storage capacity in several supply zones.

"We are working relentlessly to conserve water, repair infrastructure and pursue new supply options," said Matika. "But it is clear that greater Knysna cannot overcome these challenges alone. Our system is under strain, and our communities are feeling it.

Today’s engagement shows that all spheres of government understand the seriousness of our situation. The support and expertise offered today are both timely and deeply appreciated."

Contingency planning and current interventions
Municipal officials presented a detailed update on the Knysna Water Contingency Plan, informed by the 2018 Drought Strategy and adapted for current conditions.

Mayoral war room

Established on 27 October, the war room meets weekly, bringing together engineering, finance, disaster management, communications and operations teams to track risks, co-ordinate responses and ensure rapid decision-making.

Level 4 water restrictions

Level 4 restrictions, in effect from 3 December, impose tighter limits on non-essential use. While restrictions are necessary, Matika emphasised that public co-operation remains crucial: "Despite extensive awareness campaigns, non-compliance is rising and consumption remains higher than the system can sustain. We need every resident, business and visitor to use water sparingly."

Immediate actions underway

accelerated leak repairs
pressure management and zoning tests
telemetry system restoration
updates to the Scada monitoring system.

These efforts form part of the broader water conservation and demand management programme, which is already generating valuable operational data.

Short-term priorities (0 to 3 months)

Expansion of bulk metering across supply zones
Intensified leak detection
Broader pressure optimisation measures
Additional water-tanking support for high-risk informal areas
Strengthened public communication via SMS, social media, mobile-app alerts and regular outreach campaigns.

Medium-term projects (3 to 36 months)

Officials also updated the delegation on several strategic projects in progress:

Buffalo Bay borehole testing (funded through the Water Resilience Grant)
Further groundwater exploration for Knysna
Knysna Kruisvallei Dam Project, with geotechnical drilling now under way
Upgrades to the Rheenendal bulk supply
Proposed upgrades to the Karatara bulk supply system (funding application submitted)
Reassessment of the Sedgefield off-channel storage dam and relocation of the water treatment works
The Knysna Bulk Water Study, which will review long-term augmentation options

Support required and collaborative problem-solving
Municipal leadership highlighted several areas requiring co-ordinated intergovernmental support:

Saline intrusion affecting the Knysna estuary system
The need for improved telemetry and infrastructure management
High water losses requiring a full water-balance review
Limited reservoir capacity in certain supply zones
Additional tanker resources for emergency distribution

Technical specialists provided guidance on regulatory, engineering and environmental considerations. The delegation committed to fast-tracking support within existing government frameworks, unlocking resources where possible and ensuring that all spheres of government co-ordinate their efforts. The group reaffirmed that water security is a shared responsibility.

Strengthening conservation and public communication
The municipality’s water-saving campaign was reviewed, with particular emphasis on communication during the current restriction period. Monitoring tools are being calibrated, but consumption reductions have not yet been confirmed.

"Reducing demand is absolutely essential," said Matika. "Our teams are working around the clock, but every household and business must use only the minimum water necessary."

Commitment to transparency and resilience
Matika expressed appreciation for the support shown by national and provincial partners. "Water underpins our community’s well-being, our economy and our natural environment," he said.

"Today’s engagement reassures us that we are not facing these challenges in isolation. Working together with government partners - and with the support of our residents - we will continue to stabilise supply and build long-term resilience."

The municipality will continue to issue updates as new information becomes available.

Knysna Municipality's high-level engagement with senior representatives from national and provincial government brought together technical experts and decision-makers. Photo: Supplied