“IT’S BROKEN” must’ve been the slogan for Knysna’s festive season. Before i comment, consider the known list of breakages:

1. December 17 2016 – No water to parts of Central town
2. December 17 2016 – No water to Knysna Quays
3. December 17 2016 – Pipe under Knysna Estuary bursts
4. December 18 2016 – No water in Central in area of Gordon, Grey & Trotter St
5. December 20 2016 – Pipe burst in Wilson Street, Hunter’s Home
6. December 20 2016 – No water in Eastford Country Estate
7. December 20 2016 – No water in Rykmanshoogte, Hornlee
8. December 20 2016 – Pipe burst in Emu Crescent, Knysna Heads
9. December 20 2016 – Westhill & Paradise getting brown water
10. December 21 2016 – Loss of water pressure on Leisure Isle
11. December 21 2016 – Pipe burst in Main Rd by BP garage
12. December 21 2016 – Water crisis declared, Level 2 restrictions applied.
13. December 27 2016 – Water pipe bursts in Fraser Street, Hunter’s Home
14. December 27 2016 – Main water pipe to Khayalethu Reservoir bursts
15. December 27 2016 – No water in Sedgefield Island
16. December 27 2016 – Power outage in Belvidere and Lake Brenton
17. December 28 2016 – Power outage in White Location
18. January 1 2017 – Water pipe to Old Place Reservoir breaks

HOW DID KNYSNA MUNICIPALITY DO?

UPSIDE #1: I don’t know if that’s a full list above but that was the best job the Knysna Municipality has done in keeping the public informed. The public stress less if they know what’s happening. The Knysna Fire Station can better spend its time fighting fires than be bugged by queries from residents. DOWNSIDE: The Knysna Communication Department and Democratic Alliance still won’t meaningfully communicate with me, losing a  free way for them to reach more citizens. Politics, guilt and egos should not get in the way of service to our town.

UPSIDE #2: Introducing the Smart Phone service app was a great idea. DOWNSIDE: It’s infected with problems.

UPSIDE #3: Creating water restrictions was obviously necessary. DOWNSIDE: Failing to enforce them is ridiculous. Is anyone checking on irrigation systems in the richer areas and on the golf courses?

UPSIDE #4: Deputy Myers addressed the public via his Facebook. DOWNSIDE: We already know that we’re a water stressed area. Repeating the challenges rather than attempts at long-term solution isn’t helpful.

UPSIDE #5: The municipal staff undertaking repair jobs must have been overworked yet kept the town running, seemingly against the odds. DOWNSIDE: It’s a paid job – overtime must’ve been enjoyed. Were contractors brought in too? Cost? Why is it that repairs are mostly a reaction rather than unnecessary because the water network has been looked after?

INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS

Water is part of the greater problem which is the continued failure of Knysna’s infrastructure.

Instead of listening to complaints that the roads are being incorrectly repaired, the budget was radically increased. Without more training, isn’t that throwing money into potholes?

Why was the sewerage works (again) stinking up the area the tourists would need to take to get to The East Head, Knysna’s number 1 tourist attraction?

When will the Municipality provide a comprehensive presentation regarding our challenges? Will they please present all the facts?

Read ‘416km of Sewerage Pipes and…’