Knysna, a popular town on South Africa's Garden Route, is running out of water. The main storage, Akkerkloof Dam, has only about 20 days of water left. Leaking pipes waste more than 50% of treated water before it reaches homes. Officials declared a state of disaster as the crisis grows. About 100,000 people rely mainly on this dam, with no strong backup sources. Mayor Thando Matika said maintenance was neglected for years, causing worn and broken pipes. In October, a retirement home ran out of water for ten days, forcing costly backup solutions. Residents now limit water use to 50 litres per person daily, banning garden watering and pool filling. Many depend on water tanks, boreholes, or municipal tankers. The NGO Gift of the Givers provides emergency water, drilling boreholes and delivering supplies daily. Tourism, vital to Knysna's economy, fears “day zero” will scare visitors away. Elmay Bouwer of the Great Knysna Business Council said, “The name ‘day zero’ can inspire panic and seems threatening.” The crisis reflects bigger problems across South Africa, where millions face water shortages. Dr Ferial Adam of Watercan noted, “For some millions in South Africa, ‘day zero’ is every day.” Climate change, droughts, and old infrastructure deepen the issues. Poor communities struggle most; some walk long distances for water from tankers. Government aid includes $1.25 million for emergency repairs and plans to fix boreholes, improve salt removal, and recycle water. Long-term plans target building a new dam and upgrading water meters. Experts warn more towns could face similar crises if urgent action is not taken. Knysna's water emergency highlights a national risk in South Africa.