KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna municipality, in an update on the interruption to the water supply in the town's northern areas, said on Tuesday 11 March that Jood-se-Kamp and Concordia were now receiving water, but Dam-se-Bos, Nekkies, Hlalani, and Oupad were still without water.

"To assist affected residents, water trucks are roaming these areas to provide temporary relief. Our team continues to work to restore normal water supply to all affected areas," the municipality said.

Following earlier reports that taps had run dry in those areas, Knysna mayor Thando Matika said, in a press release on Monday, that he was "taking immediate action" to remedy the situation.

'Deep disappointment'

He said "as part of my acceptance speech (after council voted for him to be mayor), I vowed to bring water security to Greater Knysna".

"It is with deep disappointment and concern that I learned of the recent reports indicating that some taps in our community have run dry once more.

"This situation is unacceptable, and I want to assure our residents that I am taking immediate action to address this critical issue.

"In response to these alarming reports, I convened a meeting with the municipal manager, relevant senior management, and my mayoral committee.

'Detailed report'

"During this meeting, I made it unequivocally clear that we must put an end to this recurring problem. Water is a fundamental human right, and our residents should not have to endure the inconvenience and distress caused by water shortages," Matika said.

"A detailed report was presented and thoroughly discussed, outlining the current state of our water supply and the challenges we face.

"I am committed to ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are held accountable and that we implement effective solutions to secure a reliable water supply for all residents of Greater Knysna.

'Comprehensive plan'

"I want to reassure our community that we are actively working on a comprehensive plan to address these issues.

"We will prioritise transparency and communication with our residents as we move forward.

"Together, we will strive to restore water security and ensure that every household has access to this essential resource. Thank you for your understanding and support as we work to resolve this matter."

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’