Knysna Estuary sewage crisis: E. coli levels spike to 51 times safe limit
· The South African
The environmental health of the Knysna Estuary is under renewed scrutiny after a parliamentary reply revealed widespread non-compliance with recreational water-quality standards.
The Knysna Estuary covers roughly 1 366 to 1 633 hectares, stretching from the iconic Knysna Heads to the Charlesford Weir on the Knysna River.
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According to the reply cited by the Democratic Alliance (DA), 10 of 14 sampling sites across the estuary failed to meet the required standards for recreational water contact.
The findings have raised concerns about the impact of ongoing wastewater infrastructure problems on residents, visitors, the tourism industry and the environmentally sensitive estuary.
E. coli levels reach 51 times the safe limit
Microbiological monitoring reportedly recorded significant spikes in E. coli contamination at several points around the lagoon system.
At some sampling locations, levels were measured at up to 51 times the safe recreational limit.
The findings are particularly concerning given the estuary’s ecological importance and popularity with residents and tourists.
The DA says the pollution is linked to failures in municipal wastewater infrastructure.
According to the parliamentary reply, final effluent discharged from the Knysna Wastewater Treatment Works recorded E. coli levels exceeding the safe limit by more than 11 times.
The party says this points to sewage contamination entering the estuary from municipal systems.
DA accuses coalition of governance failure
Dave Bryant, DA Western Cape spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, described the situation as a serious failure of municipal governance.
“The data exposes the catastrophic cost of municipal collapse in Knysna. When local wastewater treatment facilities are allowed to discharge contaminated effluent into a protected marine habitat, it is an absolute failure of governance.”
Bryant further accused the local ANC-led coalition of failing to protect the estuary and public health.
“The local coalition is actively poisoning one of South Africa’s most ecologically sensitive estuarine systems, risking public health and crippling Knysna’s tourism economy.”
The DA said it would continue pushing for intervention and accountability from the municipality.
Tourism economy also at risk
The pollution concerns extend beyond the potential environmental and public-health implications.
Knysna’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with the estuary forming one of the town’s major natural attractions.
The DA warned that continued deterioration of water quality could damage the area’s tourism reputation while placing additional pressure on small businesses and livelihoods dependent on visitors.
The party also highlighted the importance of protecting the estuary’s aquatic ecosystems.
The Knysna Estuary is an environmentally sensitive habitat and falls within an area overseen by SANParks.
Local government elections bring focus to Knysna
The revelations come as South Africa heads towards the 2026 Local Government Elections, putting municipal service delivery and governance firmly in the political spotlight.
The DA has used the Knysna water-quality concerns to argue for greater technical competence and accountability at municipal level.
The party says it wants to see a “corruption-free, professional administration” focused on delivering basic services rather than political patronage.
For Knysna residents and businesses, however, the immediate concern is the condition of the estuary and whether municipal wastewater systems can be brought back to acceptable operating standards.
The latest water-quality findings have placed the ongoing sewage crisis in Knysna firmly back in the spotlight, with environmental protection, public health and the town’s tourism economy all potentially at stake.
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