KNYSNA NEWS - Speaking of the water security of Greater Knysna, mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies says, while the municipality has moderate water restrictions in place, residents and visitors will not find themselves without water.

“Knysna has not escaped the protracted drought levels, and we applaud the residents for being water wise. As a result, water storage has improved marginally and Greater Knysna is not facing an imminent Day Zero. 

Visitors to the area need not fear that they will not have adequate water.

"The municipality has embarked on short-term measures to increase water extraction, ground and rainwater harvesting, repairs to desalination plants and a leak reduction programme," she continues.

"There is no doubt that we must continue to be water wise, given that average rainfall in Greater Knysna has dropped dramatically, from a historical average of 70mm per month to a monthly average of 15mm in the past year. 

"Thus we must remain mindful that water is a valuable and scarce resource across the world, and therefore it is paramount that all start to embrace the value of this scarce commodity.”

As a result, the municipality has to develop a plan for water resilience in the long term. Municipal manager Kam Chetty concurs with Bouw-Spies with regard to water availability. 

"Much of the short-term initiatives are beginning to yield positive results, albeit marginal at this stage. 

"For now we have sufficient water to support the tourism sector and domestic consumption, and we need to manage this valuable resource wisely and aggressively," he says.

"At the same time it is critical that Knysna adapts as quickly as possible to ensure water resilience going forward. Adapting rapidly to climate change will strengthen our tourism position and become our major differentiator, leaving our area attractive to visitors who are essential to our economy,” says Chetty.

Ensuring resilience
The municipality has embarked on numerous projects at this stage, some of which are set out below:

• Increasing the ability to extract and store water from the Knysna River through a pipeline project in the Charlesford Water Scheme.
• Leak repairs.
• Installing water meters to manage demand.
• Extraction of groundwater through additional boreholes.
• New sources such as the Bongani Springs.
• Repairs to the reverse osmosis and desalination plants.
• Extracting water from the quarry.

In addition the municipality is in the planning phases of developing infrastructure renewal projects and other large capital projects.

Chetty explains that the moderate restriction in Greater Knysna acknowledges the stress on the water system, and limits households to 20 000 litres of water a month. 

Other measures include restrictions on watering gardens, the washing of cars/boats, and the water use in artificial water features.

Bouw-Spies acknowledges the role of Greater Knysna residents during the current drought. 

“I thank each and every one who is taking this drought seriously and making water conservation part of their daily lives.

"This reduction by the majority of our tourism establishments has ensured that we do not have to turn any of our much-needed visitors away.

“Knysna welcomes tourists, and we are definitely open for business and leisure. Residents have shown that being both water wise and growing tourism is possible.”

* This statement by the municipality comes shortly after a query was sent to them by the Knysna-Plett Herald regarding an earlier statement made by Knysna tourism on 22 February. 

The statement read: "We are pleased to inform you that the status of Knysna with regards to water restrictions as indicated on the Western Cape map, which appears on the Western Cape Water Wise Tourism website, has been changed from 'Severe water restrictions' to 'Moderate water restrictions' at the request of Knysna Tourism. 

"This more accurately reflects the situation in Knysna, where Level 3 restrictions are in place to ensure the security of water for all users."

Read a previous article: Drought, but Knysna rivers 'flowing normally?'

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