Knysna moves to level 4 water restrictions
Level four water restrictions were implemented in Knysna
Image: Paballo Thekiso /IOL
Knysna has ramped up its drought response by moving to level four water restrictions, as the municipality formally declared the Garden Route town a water-stressed zone.
The move comes ahead of the busy holiday season and follows months of dwindling supply, mounting infrastructure strain and repeated water emergencies.
Mayor Thando Matika said the declaration was necessary to open the way for national and provincial intervention while the municipality works to stabilise its own systems.
"The Knysna council at its meeting [on Tuesday] declared the greater Knysna municipality as a water-stressed area," a statement from the municipality said.
Matika, in the same statement, said Knysna’s water infrastructure, especially in town, has been under “tremendous pressure”, with teams working around the clock to deal with constant callouts.
“The Garden Route District Disaster Management Centre was mandated, in consultation with the Knysna Local Disaster Management Unit, to coordinate the short-term as well as medium- term interventions needed to address this crisis," he said.
“Our municipal teams are under immense strain due to numerous water emergencies.
"We increased the overtime allowance to 60 hours to accommodate the number of callouts.”
Level four now brings some of the toughest measures Knysna has enforced in years.
Households are limited to 6 kl a month, businesses must cut their use by half compared with last year, and water-restricting devices will be installed across the system.
Water zones may be throttled, and the construction industry, nurseries and car washes must rely on alternative sources.
A stage three drought tariff has been triggered, though council has chosen to keep the stage two tariff in place for now.
Health and correctional facilities must install their own tanks, which will be filled by municipal trucks.
The municipality is also buying twenty 5,000-litre tanks to place in critical wards, along with making provision for extra fuel, fittings and tanker rentals should conditions worsen.
“Due to prolonged dry conditions, the area’s water resources are under severe pressure, and your cooperation is crucial in the next few weeks," Matika said.
"Provision will also be made for contingencies that may arise, such as fuel, fittings, the rental of water trucks, and other associated costs. Please remember, despite everything the municipality does, it is your buy-in and support that will have an impact.”
Law enforcement officers will patrol throughout the season to ensure compliance, with Matika warning that the sharp rise in visitors over December and January will place even more pressure on the system.
“I hope that residents understand the urgency of the matter – our busiest tourist season of the year is ahead of us with an influx of visitors ... let us make sure they also understand the water use limitations and use water sparingly," Matika said.
He urged residents to adopt lasting water-saving habits and not rely on the municipality alone to stabilise supply.
A stepped-up water awareness campaign is running across radio, traditional media and online platforms.
Residents are being urged to fix leaks, install rainwater tanks, shorten showers, reduce car washing, and switch to water-wise gardening.
IOL News