Key Takeaways
- The town of Knysna is facing a severe water crisis, with only 10 days of water left in the Akkerkloof dam.
- The crisis is attributed to neglect by the local government, including lack of maintenance and investment in the water system.
- The National Government has stepped in to assist the municipality, with plans to rehabilitate the desalination plant and fix leaks in the distribution system.
- The municipality has a high level of water losses due to leaks, with an estimated half of the municipal water being lost.
- The Western Cape provincial government had attempted to place the local government under provincial administration, but was blocked by the NCOP.
Introduction to the Crisis
The town of Knysna, a popular tourist destination, is facing a severe water crisis, with only 10 days of water left in the Akkerkloof dam. The crisis is attributed to neglect by the local government, including lack of maintenance and investment in the water system. Despite recent rainfall, the water levels in the dam have not been sufficient to alleviate the crisis, and the municipality has been forced to shut off water at public facilities. The situation has become so dire that the National Government has stepped in to assist the municipality, with plans to rehabilitate the desalination plant and fix leaks in the distribution system.
Causes of the Crisis
The Director General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, Sean Phillips, has stated that the crisis was caused by neglect by the local government. In 2010, the National Government provided funding to drill boreholes and build a seawater desalination plant, but after the drought ended, the municipality neglected to maintain these facilities. As a result, the desalination plant is no longer functional, and the boreholes are not being used. Furthermore, the municipality has not increased the capacity of its pumping stations to pump water from the extraction points in the Knysna River, and the town has a high level of water losses due to leaks. It is estimated that about half of the municipal water is lost to leaks, but the exact amount is unknown due to non-functioning water meters.
Government Response
The National Government has stepped in to assist the municipality, with plans to rehabilitate the desalination plant and fix leaks in the distribution system. The Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, has stated that the municipality should have been prepared for the drought, and that the town’s water supply system was designed to allow for the storage of water in the Akkerkloof Dam throughout the year. However, due to technical challenges at the abstraction point in the Knysna River, the municipality did not fill the dam, leaving the town vulnerable to drought. The National Government is working with local authorities and the provincial government to extend the last ten days of water in the town as long as possible, through stricter enforcement of water restrictions and emergency funding to fix leaks.
Consequences of the Crisis
The consequences of the crisis are severe, with the town facing the possibility of "Day Zero", where the water supply is completely cut off. If this happens, authorities are working on plans to bring in water tankers from other municipalities in the area. The crisis has also highlighted the need for better management and maintenance of the town’s water system, and the importance of planning for droughts and other water-related emergencies. The Western Cape provincial government had attempted to place the local government under provincial administration, but was blocked by the NCOP, citing a "turnaround plan that is being implemented". The ANC has called the move "politically motivated", and "not in the best interest of Knysna residents".
Future Plans
Looking forward, the National Government, working together with local authorities and the provincial government, is trying to find a long-term solution to the crisis. This includes rehabilitating the desalination plant, fixing leaks in the distribution system, and increasing the capacity of the pumping stations. The government is also working on plans to bring in water tankers from other municipalities in the area, in case the town reaches "Day Zero". The crisis has highlighted the need for better management and maintenance of the town’s water system, and the importance of planning for droughts and other water-related emergencies. It is hoped that the town can recover from this crisis and implement measures to prevent similar situations in the future.