With the storage dams levelsdropping, the water flowing over the Knysna River weir by a mere 10mm and theGouna River’s flow coming to a standstill the Knysna Municipality has been forced to implement Level 2 Water Restrictions with immediate effect.
This level brings punitivewater tariffs into immediate effect and an additional 50 percent of theapproved water consumption tariff will be applied to consumption exceeding20kl/month.
Furthermore Knysna Municipalpotable water is restricted to human consumption and business use. “This meansthat no gardens may be watered, nor cars nor boats washed,” explained KnysnaExecutive Mayor, Eleanore Bouw Spies.
Businesses are beinginstructed to implement water recycling systems on their premises. “Thismeasure is especially relevant to all car washes in the area. Our LawEnforcement Officers are currently checking on recycling systems, and where itis found to be lacking will be instructing the business to adhere to thiswithin a month,” added the mayor.
Artificial water features andfountains may only run with recycled water from today (December 21) onwards.
Residents are also asked toretrofit their taps, showerheads and other plumbing equipment with waterefficient devices.
The Municipality further asksthat all their residents and holiday makers adhere strictly to the waterrestrictions and treat water as the scarce commodity that it is. “Our LawEnforcement officers will be out in force to ensure that nobody breeches thesenew water restriction,” added Bouw-Spies.
Knysna’s water usage for theweek prior to 18 December was once again extremely high. Knysna’s daily targetof 8Ml/day was not met as residents used a whopping 16.3Ml/day. Sedgefield’starget daily water consumption is 1.9Ml/day and its residents used 2.9Ml/dayduring the same period.
“We are asking all residentsand visitors to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report water abuse. Aspreviously communicated, no mercy will be shown to anybody caught wasting waterand they will receive hefty fines,” concluded Bouw-Spies.
Please report all water abuseto the Municipal report WhatsApp number 083 665 3824.
Water-saving tips areavailable on the Knysna Municipality website www.knysna.gov.za
ENDS
