KNYSNA NEWS - According to acting Knysna municipal manager Setloane Malepeng, the Drought Situation Stage in the Greater Knysna municipal area has been raised to level two.
"Level three water restrictions have been in place for a number of months," he said.
"Greater Knysna is a water-scarce area, with intermittent droughts affecting the Garden Route as a whole since the severe drought of 2009.
"A level two drought situation contains measures that are aimed at bringing users to the realisation that this is a very real problem, to change water-usage habits and to effectively curb water wastage."
Below 60% capacity
Greater Knysna's storage facilities have dropped to below 60% capacity, triggering the move to a level two drought situation.
A directive of this second tier is the implementation of punitive tariffs on those users who exceed the monthly water consumption allowance under level three restrictions.
"These measures are only implemented to ensure the responsible usage, conservation and future security of our water by strongly encouraging all residents to use it sparingly," said Malepeng. "They are not applied as punishment, but as persuasion."
Under current level three water restrictions, domestic water usage is limited to 20 000 litres per month. The drought situation level 2 allows the municipality to actively implement this restriction by effecting a 50% increase on domestic accounts where the usage allowance of 20kl per month has been exceeded.
50% tariff increase
All other users who do not reduce their monthly water consumption by 20% will also be subject to a 50% tariff increase.
"Water restriction levels and drought situation levels are different methodologies used to mitigate periods of water shortage," said Malepeng. "They are implemented together to achieve our main objective of conserving our available water resources."
Water restrictions are regulatory measures aimed at managing water consumption during times of scarcity or when supply systems are under irregular strain. Restrictions include water usage limits, time restrictions, banning of certain activities and penalties for non-compliance.
Control consumption
Drought situation levels are tiered tariff- and water-supply management measures implemented by a municipality to control levels of water consumption relevant and appropriate to varying degrees of drought or water scarcity.
"Residents are expected to adhere to the restrictions set under the various levels. Unfortunately we cannot, for instance, constantly monitor if residents are only using watering cans to water their gardens on certain days or not," explained Malepeng.
"Under the various drought situation levels, such disregard for water restrictions will result in penalties.
"It is entirely possible for an average family of four to manage their daily lives using less than 20kl per month," he concluded.
"Please work with us to treat this vital natural resource with the respect it deserves."
Level 3 water restrictions remain in place.
Residents should report water wastage or broken pipes on (044) 302 6311 or WhatsApp 060 998 7000.
For more information on water restriction levels, drought situation levels, water services and water saving tips, please visit here or contact the Manager: Water and Wastewater Services Rhoydon Parry on rparry@knysna.gov.za or 044 302 6332.
‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete, Hessequa, Karoo nuus’
