KNYSNA – The Western Cape Government has moved swiftly to address a looming water crisis in the popular coastal town of Knysna, announcing the establishment of a Joint Operations Committee to steer the municipality through critical water security challenges during the December holiday period.
Western Cape Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, said that the provincial government will co-chair the emergency committee alongside Knysna Municipality officials to coordinate immediate interventions and long-term solutions.
The decision follows urgent discussions between Bredell and Knysna’s Mayor and Mayoral Committee members, who acknowledged the severity of the situation facing the town during its busiest tourism period.
“The Mayor agreed that Knysna is facing a water crisis during the holiday season and that all stakeholders must work together to stabilise and fix the town’s water supply challenges,” Bredell said.
The Joint Operations Committee will bring together representatives from multiple levels of government, including Knysna Municipality, the Garden Route District Municipality, the Provincial Department of Local Government, and the National Department of Water and Sanitation. This multi-tiered approach is designed to ensure rapid decision-making and real-time monitoring of progress.
Bredell said that the committee’s immediate focus would be on addressing urgent water supply risks before tackling the underlying infrastructure problems that have contributed to the current crisis. “Once the immediate crisis has been stabilised, attention can then shift to resolving the underlying infrastructure and management issues that contributed to the current situation,” he explained.
The coordinated response includes several urgent interventions already set in motion. A new pump will be purchased and installed at the Akkerkloof Dam, which is currently operating at approximately 27% capacity – a critically low level for the peak summer season. Additionally, five specialised plumbing teams are being appointed to fast-track repairs across the town’s water distribution network, addressing leaks that have been contributing to water losses.
Among the most significant immediate repairs is the fixing of a substantial leak at the water purification plant, which officials estimate will save at least one megalitre of water per day once completed. The committee is also prioritising the refurbishment of existing boreholes that have been compromised by damaged pumps, which will help supplement Knysna’s overall water supply capacity.
The water crisis comes at a particularly challenging time for Knysna, which typically sees a massive influx of holidaymakers during December and January. The town has already implemented stringent Level 4 water restrictions.
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Bredell stressed the importance of community cooperation in managing the crisis, directing his message not only to permanent residents but also to the thousands of visitors expected in the coming weeks.
“Knysna is currently implementing Level 4 water restrictions, and we urge all residents and visitors to strictly adhere to these measures. If everyone plays their part, there will be enough water for all during this peak period,” he said.
For Knysna’s tourism industry, which forms the backbone of the local economy, the water restrictions and ongoing crisis management efforts represent a critical test during the peak earning season. The success of the Joint Operations Committee’s interventions will likely determine not only the immediate water security situation but also the town’s reputation as a reliable holiday destination.
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