KNYSNA – With only 13 days’ water left, the Knysna Municipality has invited residents to join them in prayer and reflection on Sunday 11 January.
Knysna, a water scarce area, received no rainfall and the rivers are extremely low. Level 4 water restrictions are in place. Urgent steps need to be taken to reduce the town’s water consumption.
The neighbouring town of George has also implemented Level 3 Emergency Water Tariffs as the Garden Route Dam has declined from 45.68% last week to 44.50% this week. Only 17mm of rain fell this week.
Main dam at less than 20%
In a statement on Tuesday 6 January the Knysna municipality said that with the Akkerkloof Dam currently at less than 20%, the water supply has reached a critical stage.
This dam is the primary source of water. With less than two weeks of water left at current consumption levels, the municipality says that it requires immediate action from government, residents, businesses and visitors.
This crisis was the topic of discussion during the weekly Joint Operations Committee (JOC) meeting on Tuesday 6 January with the National Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the Western Cape Department of Local Government, Knysna Municipality, the Breede–Olifants Catchment Management Agency (BOCMA) and the Garden Route District Municipality in attendance.
The municipality said that while the Balancing Dam is currently at around 90%, this does not compensate for the rapid depletion of Akkerkloof Dam.
An immediate reduction in water use is necessary as there is no sign of rainfall, the rivers have extremely low flow and water consumption continues to be high. It was agreed during the meeting that other water sources must urgently be sourced and that water users are strongly encouraged use of alternative water supplies, where possible.
Though a possibility of light rainfall was indicated in coming days, it is unlikely to be enough to solve the issue. The South African Weather Service forecasts less than usual rainfall along the South Coast during the first quarter of 2026, which increases the risk of water availability.
The municipality said that letters have been issued to the top 100 water users, calling for urgent consumption reduction. Car wash businesses will be regulated, while being mindful of livelihoods and water restrictions will be strictly enforced. Any leaks would be fixed as soon as possible.
Level 5 water restrictions possible
Should these steps not achieve less water consumption immediately, it may be possible that Level 5 water restrictions and water rationing be instituted.
The municipality said it will also implement a high-visibility Public Participation and Awareness Plan to ensure residents, businesses, and visitors fully understand the seriousness of the situation and their role in protecting the remaining water supply. Community meetings will be held as well as education roadshows, school outreach programmes, and engagements with local business chambers.
Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, said: “All spheres of government are working closely together and have intensified interventions, but without an immediate and sustained reduction in water use, these efforts will not be enough. Water security is a shared responsibility, and every resident, business, and visitor must act now to help protect the limited supply that remains.”
The prayer meeting will be held on Sunday 11 January from 15:00 at Memorial Square in Knysna.
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