Knysna Municipality Executive Mayor Thando Matika confirmed that the area’s water restriction level has dropped from level four to level two. “This relaxation is a direct result of improving and maintaining our water reticulation system,” he said.
The water level of the Akkerkloof storage dam serves as the barometer for altering water restrictions. “With repairs completed at the Charlseford pumpstation and a greater flow available in our rivers, we have steadily increased the dam level by approximately 4% per week,” Matika explained. “The Akkerkloof level is now at 59.1%, which falls within the level two restrictions bracket.”
Under level two water restrictions municipal potable water is restricted to human consumption and business use. No gardens may be watered and no cars or boats may be washed. Domestic consumption is limited to 20 000 litres per household per month. If this limit has been exceeded on two occasions, water restricting/management devices will be installed. Households that receive a free basic water allocation will be limited to 6 000 litre per household per month. The construction industry, car washes and nurseries must use alternative sources of water.
“The practical benefit for consumers of dropping to level two water restrictions means that punitive tariffs are scaled down,” said Matika. “The drought tariff drops from stage three to stage one. This means that consumers who exceed the 20 000 litre per month limit will be charged an additional 50% of the approved water consumption tariff.”
“It is still important that we all keep to our water saving habits,” he said. “Residents must always remember that we are ultimately dependent on rainfall and river flow for our water. This vulnerability is under constant pressure of prevailing weather conditions.”
The currently active El Niño event has already raised equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures well above normal thresholds. Forecasters predict a very high probability that this phase will continue gaining strength and peak as a very strong event in the second half of the year. South Africa may expect higher temperatures and dry conditions with even less rain forecast for our spring and summer months.
“While hard work and the cooperation of our national and provincial governments, as well as local stakeholders, have resulted in increased levels at the Akkerkloof dam, we cannot lose sight of our shared responsibility,” Matika concluded. “By continuing to use water sparingly and implementing responsible water harvesting systems at home and at work, we can work together to secure water sustainability during our warmer seasons.”