KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna and Bitou municipalities are set to receive targeted support as part of a R40.5m provincial investment aimed at strengthening water resilience across the Western Cape in the 2026/27 financial year.
The funding, announced by Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, forms part of broader efforts to address increasing pressure on water resources.
"Climate change, population growth and economic growth continue to challenge municipalities in delivering basic services to our residents. This is especially true in the case of water security," Bredell said.
"Proactive planning to build resilience through long-term investment in the development of water sources and associated infrastructure is therefore essential."
Focus on Knysna and Bitou
In the Garden Route, Bitou Municipality will receive R800 000 for new membranes at the Plettenberg Bay desalination plant. A further R1m has been allocated towards the construction of a new pipeline from the Keurbooms River to the Roodefontein Dam.
Knysna Municipality will benefit from R1.75m for the refurbishment of key pump stations at the Akkerkloof, Glebe, Charlesford/Eastford and Gouna pump stations.
The upgrades form part of Phase B of ongoing infrastructure improvements.
Long-term water security strategy
The investment aligns with the Western Cape Water Resilience Strategy (2025-2035), which sets a target of securing an additional 350 million cubic metres of water supply by 2035.
This will be achieved through a combina-tion of water augmentation projects, conservation measures, infrastructure development and improved governance.
Province-wide projects
Beyond Knysna and Bitou, funding will be distributed across multiple municipalities. Projects include borehole development in Beaufort West, reservoir construction in Bergrivier, and water treatment upgrades in Cederberg, Kannaland and Swellendam.
Additional allocations include R7.5m for the procurement of potable water tankers to support district municipalities, including the Garden Route, as well as a R5m contingency fund for emergency response.
Building resilience
Bredell said the investment is aimed at helping municipalities prepare for future challenges while improving reliability in water service delivery.
The projects are expected to play a key role in safeguarding water supply in vulnerable regions, particularly as demand continues to rise.
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