Years of flooding and still nothing
KNYSNA - Seven months after KPH first reported on the matter, the Harker family that resides in Klein Street still has to deal with flooding in their house which is caused by overflow from the reservoir near their house.
Knysna-Plett Herald reported on the issue in our 20 April 2023 edition, outlining the fact that this is an issue that the Harker family has been dealing with for more than seven years. The Harker house stands on a slope in Klein Street, lying below a potable water reservoir. On occasion, the reservoir has overflow that needs to be let out, and Knysna Municipality sends out a team to open the overflow outlet.
However, due to damage sustained to the overflow outlet, the water doesn't drain away as intended. Instead, it flows down the hill and through the Harker property, causing significant damage to the structures on the property.
The water first flows through a wooden house on the same property before, further down, it flows into the main house, flooding their bedrooms and causing significant water damage to their cupboards and furniture.
Chantel Harker, one of the people living on the property, contacted KPH last week saying that the problem has still not been resolved.
"The reservoir still stands unrepaired, despite the municipality promising us earlier this year after the article was published that it would be repaired," Harker said. "We are now concerned because it is nearing the municipality's closing time for the year, and the work still needs to be done."
Knysna-Plett Herald attempted to obtain comment from Knysna Municipality last week, but no response was received. On Monday 27 November, Harker once again alerted KPH that the reservoir is still overflowing and flooding their home. "It has been overflowing for a week now, and every time we call the municipality it gets closed but the next day it just happens again."
KPH once again tried to obtain comment from the municipality regarding the issue, but at the time of publication no response had been received.