A data-based sanity check This update is based on Department of Water & Sanitation river gauge data (Station K5H003) together with reported system figures. The goal is simple: to understand where we actually stand as of February 19. What happened between January 27 and February 7 During this...
For the first time in this crisis, we now have a clearer, system-wide view of Knysna’s water position. The newly released Department of Water & Sanitation Knysna Water Dashboard provides consolidated visibility into demand, pumping performance, storage levels, and rainfall. This matters a lot!...
A new Seasonal Climate Watch released by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) offers an important and sobering piece of context for Garden Route’s current water stress. The short version: there is no clear signal of relief in the months ahead. What the climate outlook is saying According to...
The South African Weather Service has confirmed that Knysna received 68 mm of rain in January 2026 exactly equal to the long-term January average. On the surface, this sounds reassuring. In reality, it explains why rainfall figures alone are a poor indicator of water security as climate conditions...
Over the past two weeks, one number keeps appearing in Knysna’s water updates: 8 million litres per day. If Akkerkloof Dam is rising and taps are still running, it’s reasonable to ask why this figure matters so much. The answer lies in how the system is currently being run and how little margin...
Knysna is not “out of water” but it is operating with very little margin for error. To understand where we really are, it helps to first understand the plan currently being used to avoid Day Zero, and then how we can track whether that plan is holding together in real time. What the plan actually...
Sewage spills have become a part of daily life in Knysna. This has been an ongoing problem for years, and of course the current water crisis is exacerbating the problem. Scenes such as this, with sewage flowing out of manholes in many streets across Knysna are almost a daily occurrence. This...
Yesterday during a visit to Knysna, the Premier of the Western Cape, Alan Winde, commented on the need to develop long-term water security plans after this particular crisis in Knysna has been averted. He is right of course. Just the day before the United Nations released this report, entitled...
As we navigate the current water crisis, there is often confusion about what "Day Zero" actually means. To keep everyone informed and calm, here is what Day Zero DOES NOT mean: 🚫 It is NOT an empty dam . Day Zero is a safety threshold (usually around 13.5%), not 0%. It’s a point where a city/town...
Day Zero plans are in full swing in Knysna. These plans were alluded to in this interview with the municipal manager a few days ago: The day-to-day rollout information is, however, coming from Gift of the Givers. Take a look: First up is the presence of water tankers that have already been...