The MEC of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell has warned Kynsna’s water supply is under severe strain, following a meeting with the Knysna Municipality on Monday, 22 December.

With the peak holiday season underway, the Municipality informed Bredell that the supply system can provide 19.7 megalitres of water per day, while the anticipated peak demand during the holiday season is 17 megalitres per day.

He says while this is marginally above demand, ageing infrastructure and high water losses mean this is a “razor-thin margin.”

Bredell has urged residents and visitors to conserve water immediately. Level 4 water restrictions are currently in place.

Of immediate importance is the replenishment of several key water reservoirs in the supply network. These reservoirs are linked in series and feed into one another, meaning the entire system depends on reservoirs being maintained above certain levels.

Bredell said he was encouraged to hear that 188 water leaks have recently been repaired, and that Knysna Municipality will have seven plumbing teams working throughout the holiday season to ensure the prompt repair of leaks and pipe bursts.

Ntombizanele Bila-Mupariwa, Western Cape Head of the Department of Water and Sanitation said they are jointly implementing short to medium interventions with other spheres of government to resolve Knysna’s water challenges.

“We also call on the public and business community to be mindful of what is released into the wastewater system. With a water supply system already under significant pressure, the wastewater system is also affected, and blockages increase the risk of raw sewage spills into the environment,” Bredell said.