Funds set aside for Knysna's water infrastructure repairs, says WC local govt official

Eyewitness News

17-05-2025

Cailynn Pretorius 17 May 2025 | 8:05
Knysna residents collect water from a water tanker following supply interruptions in the area. Picture: Knysna Municipality/Facebook
CAPE TOWN - Engineers will be working around the clock on the failed water pumps that caused the water supply disruption in Knysna this week.
The Knysna Municipality confirmed to EWN that the water supply had been restored to the suburb of Rheenendal.
The water woes struck the area nine days ago and authorities said they hoped that all areas would have running tap water by Monday.
The head of department for local government in the Western Cape, Graham Paulse, said they had set aside funds for Knysna's water infrastructure repairs.
"So, the Department of Local Government, under the guidance of Minister Bredell, has assisted both the municipality of Knysna, as well as the community of Knysna, so we have made a detailed assessment of the challenges and based on that, developed a support plan. We have also given them grant funding to the amount of R8 million," said Paulse.
He added that while repairs were taking place, water tankers would be making frequent trips to the affected areas. "We have also assisted the community by arranging additional water tankers from other municipalities and there's a number of municipalities who have sent their tanker trucks so that the citizens can have more frequent water available to them while we address these challenges and fix the water supply systems by means of the water pumps," said Paulse.