Knysna battles ongoing water outages

Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Just when residents of Knysna and Hornlee believe they have a reliable water supply, another pipe bursts or an infrastructure-related issue emerges.

Knysna Municipality confirmed on Monday 3 November that its technical teams are still working to locate a fault on the main water line serving Fisherhaven.

After initial investigations yielded no results following persistent water interruptions last week, the team is now focusing on a possible issue closer to the pump station.

Municipal officials verified that valves at the corner of Marlin Road and George Rex Drive are fully operational. One water tanker remains stationed in Fisherhaven to provide temporary relief to affected residents.

Reservoirs and pressure
In Hornlee, reservoir levels remain below capacity, and several parts of the suburb were once again left without water from Monday.

Three water trucks continue to distribute potable water in the area as the municipality works to stabilise supply.

In Old Place, reservoir levels are also low, largely due to pressure fluctuations linked to the Charlesford system. The municipality continues to monitor the situation to prevent further disruptions.

At Charlesford, irregular raw water pressure has caused pumps to trip, reducing efficiency at the treatment plant.

Engineers plan to inspect and recalibrate pressure release valves once the Marlin Road issue has been resolved.

Railway Bridge pump station repaired
Meanwhile, the Railway Bridge pump station has recently undergone repairs after a mechanical failure. The municipality confirmed that the pump had broken down and required urgent maintenance.

"In our continued efforts to prevent contamination and protect the environment, we removed the faulty pump and transported it for immediate repair," the statement read.

The Knysna Infrastructure Group (KIG) provided valuable support in facilitating the repair process. The municipality said the installation was completed successfully, and the pump station is now operating according to design specifications. The technical team continues to monitor the system to ensure stable performance.

Residents voice growing frustration
Public frustration has intensified as repeated water outages continue to affect daily life. A resident from Milkwood Drive said: "Almost every other weekend we are left without water - this is ridiculous," he said.

"This lack of service delivery is chasing away potential investors, tourists, and even locals. It's a sad state of affairs; less money flows into town, and yet we are told we're not part of the problem while we sit without water."

The resident questioned whether municipal staff responsible for monitoring reservoirs are being held accountable and called for thorough investigations after each major outage.

Municipality calls for patience

The municipality reiterated that water supply interruptions are not deliberate, citing ageing infrastructure, fluctuating water pressure, and environmental conditions as key contributors. Annual budgets include provisions for infrastructure upgrades to improve long-term reliability. "We appreciate the community's continued patience and understanding during this time."

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