One of South Africa’s Semigration Hotspots in Serious Trouble
Knysna, one of South Africa’s most popular semigration destinations, is facing a severe water crisis that threatens the town’s long-term sustainability.
Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell has warned that the situation is deteriorating rapidly, with Knysna’s main water source, the Kloof Dam, down to just 15% capacity.
Located along the Garden Route between George and Plettenberg Bay, Knysna has attracted affluent local and international buyers seeking coastal living. This demand has driven sharp property price growth, with median house prices rising to R3.5 million and annual property transactions reaching R2.2 billion by the end of November 2025.
The broader Garden Route is home to around 3,200 high-net-worth individuals, concentrated in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Wilderness.
Emergency measures underway
Bredell said Knysna has been flagged as a high-risk area, particularly following increased water use over the December holiday season.
Provincial engineers and hydrologists have been deployed to assist with emergency planning, with immediate efforts focused on preventing a total supply failure.
Short-term solutions include:
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Adding water to the dam via boreholes
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Tapping into a natural spring
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Securing supply from private boreholes, with contracts being finalised
Residents and businesses have been urged to drastically reduce usage, with a target of 50 litres per person per day.
“If everybody works together, I’m certain that we will pull through,” Bredell said, adding that contingency plans for Day Zero are in place but remain a last resort.
Provincial disaster likely
Weather forecasts show below-normal rainfall over the next three to four months, intensifying both water shortages and fire risks.
Bredell said he plans to approach Cabinet to declare the situation a provincial disaster, which would allow resources to remain deployed longer and unlock additional support.
Deeper structural problems
Beyond the immediate crisis, Knysna’s water challenges are linked to long-standing management failures.
The town uses about 12 megalitres of water per day, while new boreholes may eventually supply 4.7 megalitres once infrastructure is fully operational.
Desalination remains an option, but Bredell warned it is slow and costly. Knysna’s existing desalination plant has been idle for roughly a decade.
Compounding the problem is severe water loss within the municipal system.
“We sit with a municipality where 50% of the water is unaccounted for,” Bredell said, citing leaks and illegal meter bypassing. In some cases, repairs have stopped losses of up to one million litres per day.
Warning for the future
Without urgent intervention and sustained cooperation, Bredell warned that Knysna faces a critical risk.
“If we don’t fix this, Knysna will run out of water, and the infrastructure will collapse.”
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