South Africa’s Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has raised serious concern over an escalating water crisis in the Garden Route, warning that Knysna and surrounding coastal towns are facing severe supply shortages as dam levels collapse and drought conditions intensify.
Knysna’s Akkerkloof Dam – the municipality’s main water source – has dropped to 19 percent, leaving the town with an estimated 13 days of usable water at current consumption levels.
“The situation constitutes a serious water security crisis and warrants immediate and collective action from all sectors of society,” DWS said on Saturday, calling on the government, business and communities to work together.
It said the crisis is being driven by below‑normal rainfall, reduced river flows and recent vandalism of key infrastructure, all of which have sharply reduced inflows and weakened the municipality’s ability to meet demand.
The department announced that authorities have activated a Joint Operations Committee (JOC) to coordinate emergency interventions.
The structure is co‑chaired by DWS, the Western Cape Department of Local Government and Knysna Municipality, with technical support from the Breede‑Olifants Catchment Management Agency and the Garden Route District Municipality.
The JOC is overseeing short‑term emergency measures, medium‑term resilience planning, and long‑term water‑resource solutions aimed at reducing vulnerability to future climate shocks.
DWS has directed Knysna Municipality to urgently secure alternative water sources, including groundwater abstraction, borehole development, water reuse technologies and temporary augmentation schemes.
A Compliance and Enforcement Blitz will also be rolled out to curb illegal abstraction, wastage, and non‑compliance with water restrictions.
JN/APA