Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality assisting Knysna Municipality with water for Sedgefield residents

For immediate release
20 November 2025

The Disaster Management team of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) from this morning, 20 November 2025, commenced with the provision of water to the residents of Sedgefield.

“This assistance followed a request received from the Municipal Manager of Knysna. However, a truck incident on the Kaaiman’s Pass caused a delay in our response efforts yesterday, but today we were able to deliver water to the affected areas,” said Gerhard Otto, Manager for Disaster Management at GRDM.

With the water treatment plant in Sedgefield that is currently unable to remove the salt from the water, support from the GRDM will continue until the water shortage experienced by the residents of Sedgefield has been resolved. Otto, explained: “The water treatment works needs to operate outside of its design parameters and therefore process controllers are struggling to produce water for domestic use that meets normal approved salinity standards”.

GRDM Executive Mayor Marais Kruger said: “The GRDM values its strong relationships with local government stakeholders in the Garden Route and will continue its efforts to support Knysna in ensuring the delivery of essential services to the residents of Sedgefield.”

ENDS