Knysna goes digital with real-time water dashboard

KNYSNA NEWS - Real-time technology designed to simplify and improve water users' knowledge and understanding of water management, consumption and conservation across greater Knysna has been welcomed as a milestone in water conservation.

The official launch of the intricate yet user-friendly Digital Water Tower Dashboard by Knysna Municipality, in partnership with Vodacom and Mezzanine, took place at the Knysna Municipal Council Chambers on Tuesday 8 September.

The initiative follows engagements between Vodacom, the Western Cape Government and Knysna Municipality over the water challenges facing the area. The dashboard was approved by Knysna Council, with teams working over recent months to gather, analyse and structure the data required for the platform.

The partnership combines Mezzanine's mobile-cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) technology expertise with Vodacom's extensive telecommunications infrastructure and scale.

Vodacom and Mezzanine are supporting the implementation and development of the platform alongside Knysna Municipality, the Western Cape Government and other relevant stakeholders.

The Knysna deployment follows the introduction of the Digital Water Tower in the City of Tshwane in 2025, with support from the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), funding from Vodacom, and implementation by Mezzanine together with technical partner GLS.

The dashboard is now live on the Knysna Municipality website, providing information on water production, consumption, water use and water losses across greater Knysna. It is mobile-friendly and accessible anytime and anywhere.

The senior programme manager of Mezzanine, Danie Kotze, said that although the intervention behind the dashboard was complex, it provides accurate real-time data on a daily basis. Daily data is presented through seven-day trends, while information relating to water losses, consumption and revenue is updated monthly.

Kotze said every figure displayed tells a story about how water moves through the municipal system.

The technology could help reduce the time-consuming process of identifying infrastructure damage and leaks, allowing potential problems to be detected faster and more easily.

However, he noted that the dashboard ultimately tells the story after the fact, helping identify trends, challenges and areas requiring intervention.

"The Digital Water Tower gives us an opportunity to put meaningful information into the hands of our residents and stakeholders, because we cannot manage what we cannot see or understand," said Knysna Mayor Thando Matika.

He said the platform would help monitor trends, strengthen transparency and encourage responsible water consumption, while reinforcing the message that water is a shared responsibility.

Matika added that water security required sustained effort, investment, innovation and partnership, describing the dashboard as a tool to support better decision-making and build a more resilient greater Knysna.

The implementation forms part of broader support to the municipality under the Section 145 Support Plan, with support from the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, and the Western Cape Department of Local Government.

Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke described the dashboard as a practical tool for greater awareness and accountability around water use and management.

"Our water, our shared responsibility," he said, emphasising that technology alone cannot protect water resources and that effective water management depends on partnership with the community.

At the launch are Rhoydon Parry, the manager for Water and Wastewater Services; Danie Kotze, Mezzanine's senior programme manager; Mayor Thando Matika; Sithembile Serame, the Vodacom Business HOD; Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke; Acting Municipal Manager Boy Ngubo; and Vodacom managing executive for the Eastern Region, Zakhele Jiyane. Photo: Rozano Alie

The real-time Digital Water Tower Dashboard on the Knysna Municipality website. Photo: Knysna Municipality

Rhoydon Parry, the manager for Water and Wastewater Services, and Danie Kotze, Mezzanine’s senior programme manager, present the first official draft of the Digital Water Tower Dashboard on Tuesday. Photo: Rozano Alie