KNYSNA NEWS - A municipal reservoir holding potable water in ward 10, Knysna, has been overflowing for more than two months, resulting in the loss of a huge amount of water.
The wasted water from the reservoir, at Eastford Country Estate, has created a fast-running rivulet, which flows down a slope.
Shadow MMC for finance, councillor Sharon Sabbagh, said: "We called the municipality over two months ago. A team arrives but doesn't fix it properly and the overflowing starts again."
Three weeks ago, she had again told the municipality about the overflow, but "three weeks later, water is still running like this", she said.
"An automated system should kick in and stop the flow into the reservoir when it is full. The automated system has been bypassed, which means the reservoir keeps overflowing - an abuse of the public purse. It [also] costs the municipality to treat the water.
"In my view, we're a water-scarce area. With water restrictions [in force], people are being billed in terms of water restriction tariffs."
Daniel Scott, chair of the residents' association at Eastford Country Estate.
Unlocked
The pump house below the reservoir was unlocked, as were metal grids on top of the reservoir.
Daniel Scott, the chair of the homeowners' association at the estate, said the water meter for the estate, which was installed in October 2020, was giving faulty readings and had, one month, recorded that the estate used 7 300 cubic meters of water.
"How can you consume three Olympic pools (of water) in a month? We have two taps. We have no leaks.
"Since January 2021, we've been calling them [the municipality] to replace the meter."
The rivulet below the overflowing reservoir at Eastford Country Estate.
Municipal bill over R1m
The estate had refused to pay the water bills issued to it, and the amount claimed by the municipality had now risen to more than R1 million.
Scott said each of the 34 houses on the estate had its own meter.
In addition to the estate, the reservoir supplies the Simola Golf and Country Estate.
About 150 metres from the reservoir is a larger one that supplies parts of town in Knysna, and the main valve for it is in an unclosed pit.
Sabbagh said the contractors that installed the valve "didn't complete the job".
"Someone should inspect this before the invoice is paid - that's consequence management."
Comment from the municipality was sought, and when it is received, it will be published.
An unlocked metal grid on top of the reservoir.
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