The fragile state of Knysna’s water supply is still a threat after the municipality failed to pay hundreds of thousands of rand due to a contractor to complete the installation of three vital pumps at the Charlesford reservoir.
While two of the three pumps have been installed after a local business footed the initial R400,000 bill, the installation of the third pump has been halted until the Knysna municipality is able to compensate the business and provide at least R300,000 for the contractor.
The municipality has acknowledged the delay and was communicating with suppliers, with payments scheduled to be done by the end of the week.
The crucial repairs began in May after the municipality declared a local state of emergency following the breakdown of the Charlesford and Homtini pump stations.
The failures disrupted water supply to numerous areas including Concordia, Dam-se-Bos and Rheenendal, affecting thousands of residents.
During the crisis a joint operations centre was established with the Knysna municipality, Garden Route district municipality, Western Cape government and other stakeholders made up of Knysna organisations and business.
One of the stakeholders was the Knysna Infrastructure Group (KIG) which stepped in to assist and paid a deposit of R400,000 to the supplier to fix the pumps.
KIG co-founder Eugene Vermaak said the deal was that the contractor would refund KIG when the Knysna municipality made payment.
“Currently, there are two pumps and the town is still safe now but should a fault occur to the pumps already installed, the town is at the risk of experiencing a water outage,” Vermaak said.
According to him, the infrastructure department director from the municipality had not been available to authorise payment.
He said the supplier was only paid a deposit for installing pump two and there was an outstanding amount to be paid for the pump and the installation of pump three.
“The pumps were assessed in May 2025 and the report came back stating the pumps are not faulty, a different technical issue was identified.
“The [municipal] manager of infrastructure was informed of this, instead he gave instructions to remove the pumps and install new pumps,” he said.
The Charlesford water pipeline connects Knysna to the Eastford line pumping water from Knysna and Gouna rivers.
Knysna municipal manager Lulamile Mapholoba acknowledged that the suppliers were not paid.
Regarding the investigation that was conducted in May to establish what caused the failure, Mapholoba said the report had been shared with infrastructure department.
Knysna municipality spokesperson Nwabisa Pondoyi said the challenges relating to the service provider were receiving the necessary attention and were expected to be resolved in due course.
The Herald
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