Water Crisis Hits Paradise: Knysna Faces 'Day Zero'

Thu Feb 05 2026 06:06:26 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The picturesque South African town of Knysna is facing a severe water crisis, with fears that residents could soon be out of water. As droughts and infrastructure issues worsen, the town is preparing for a critical 'day zero'.

Knysna, a beautiful tourist destination in South Africa, is on the brink of a water crisis, prompting officials to declare a state of disaster. With about 55% of the town's drinkable water lost due to leaks and a drought severely impacting the main dam, residents face the possibility of 'day zero' - running out of water entirely. Emergency measures are in place, but concerns grow as the town struggles to maintain its water supply.

Addo has rapidly advanced through its water crisis, raising fears of 'day zero' for its 100,000 residents. Initiatives are underway to manage the crisis better, but infrastructure failures and severe droughts present daunting challenges.

More than half of the town's potable water is lost to leaks, and an emergency response has capped water usage at 50 liters per person daily.

The situation worsened recently when Knysna lost its water supply for ten days due to equipment failures, underscoring the urgency for backup systems and resources.

Locals have demanded for transparent governance and proactive water management practices to ensure a sustainable water supply.