1. National Water Resource Strategy Presentation to Portfolio Committee 15 th September 2004 Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

2. Outline of presentation NWRS: purpose, mandate, etcNWRS: purpose, mandate, etc National water pictureNational water picture Resource protection measuresResource protection measures Priorities for allocationPriorities for allocation Meeting water needsMeeting water needs Water resources under control of MinisterWater resources under control of Minister Infrastructure developmentInfrastructure development Major challengesMajor challenges Implementation of NWRSImplementation of NWRS Financial implicationsFinancial implications WSSD targetWSSD target

3. National Water Resource Strategy National Water Act: legal framework under which the nation’s water resources are protected, developed, managed, etclegal framework under which the nation’s water resources are protected, developed, managed, etc three key principles: equity, efficiency and sustainabilitythree key principles: equity, efficiency and sustainability requires the establishment of a National Water Resource Strategy:requires the establishment of a National Water Resource Strategy: –After public consultation –Minister, DG, state, water management institutions must give effect to the NWRS when exercising any power or performing any duty in terms of the Act –Must be reviewed at least every five years Approved by Cabinet 1 Sept 2005; now to be GazettedApproved by Cabinet 1 Sept 2005; now to be Gazetted

4. Purpose of the NWRS Provides the framework for managing water resources, and for preparing catchment management strategies;Provides the framework for managing water resources, and for preparing catchment management strategies; Provides water-related information; andProvides water-related information; and Facilitates the identification of development opportunities and constraintsFacilitates the identification of development opportunities and constraints

5. Informed by and informs: National Spatial Development FrameworkNational Spatial Development Framework Provincial Growth and Development StrategiesProvincial Growth and Development Strategies Local Integrated Development Plans and Water Services Development PlansLocal Integrated Development Plans and Water Services Development Plans Public sector investment plansPublic sector investment plans Identification of opportunities for interventions in the first and second economyIdentification of opportunities for interventions in the first and second economy

6. Contents of the NWRS include: Details on water availability, use, strategies to balance supply and demandDetails on water availability, use, strategies to balance supply and demand Strategies for water resources managementStrategies for water resources management –eg protection & use; conservation, pricing; institutions; monitoring and information; disaster management Programme and financial implicationsProgramme and financial implications –Major activities including new infrastructure Complementary strategiesComplementary strategies –eg capacity building, consultation, research National planning and coordinationNational planning and coordination –Including international cooperation

7. National Water Picture Water is necessary for growth and developmentWater is necessary for growth and development South Africa needs to create jobsSouth Africa needs to create jobs South Africa is a water scarce countrySouth Africa is a water scarce country Of 180 countries, SA is 30th with least water per capitaOf 180 countries, SA is 30th with least water per capita SA subject to irregular rainfall: floods and droughtsSA subject to irregular rainfall: floods and droughts DWAF is the custodian of the nation’s water resourcesDWAF is the custodian of the nation’s water resources

8. Water Resource Protection

10. Reserve determinations The ReserveThe Reserve Water quantity and quality to meet basic human needs and ecological requirements to protect aquatic ecosystems –1450 Reserve determination applications since October 1999 –600 Reserve determinations approved –More than 12 catchments at medium– high confidence Resource Quality ObjectivesResource Quality Objectives –Set of narrative and numerical management objectives in line with the Resource Class –Will take account of all water users requirements

11. Reserve, Class and RQOs Preliminary determination of the Reserve Preliminary determination of the Class Resource Quality Objectives Reserve scenarios (preliminary) Preliminary determination of the Class 1999 Select Reserve scenario Resource Quality Objectives 2001- 2004 Directorate: Resource Directed MeasuresRDM and other Directorates 2005- Set Class of resource Set Reserve Reserve scenarios Set Resource Quality Objectives

12. Classification System development and classifying water resources Classification SystemClassification System –Classification System sets principles, guidelines, procedures and specify stakeholder participation when water resources are classified –A Resource Class will ensure an appropriate balance between utilisation and protection ensuring sustainability The Process of Classifying (Determine a class)The Process of Classifying (Determine a class) –Determine and set the class –Could be an iterative process Proposed ClassesProposed Classes –Natural –Moderately used –Heavily used, and –Unacceptably degraded

13. River Conservation Planning Purpose to conserve a representative sample of aquatic biodiversityPurpose to conserve a representative sample of aquatic biodiversity Give effect to National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004)Give effect to National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) Initial indication is that freshwater biodiversity is more urgent than terrestrial due to the state of water resourcesInitial indication is that freshwater biodiversity is more urgent than terrestrial due to the state of water resources

14. Priorities for allocating water Target:Target: To achieve greatest overall social and economic benefits, within framework of equity and sustainability Apply to:Apply to: Long term allocations (water use authorisations) Short term allocations (during water restrictions) Subject to specific circumstances, and may change over timeSubject to specific circumstances, and may change over time

15. General guide in descending order of importanceGeneral guide in descending order of importance –Provision for the Reserve (human and ecological) –International agreements and obligations –Primary social needs (poverty eradication, domestic, social stability) –Key economic sectors (power generation, key industries) –General economic uses (dictated by economic efficiency) –Convenience uses, private recreation etc. Priorities for allocating water

16. Reconciliation strategies - meeting the needs for water Water demand management and conservationWater demand management and conservation Surface water resource management (operation of dams) and conservationSurface water resource management (operation of dams) and conservation Managing and use of groundwaterManaging and use of groundwater Re-use of waterRe-use of water Eradication of invading alien vegetationEradication of invading alien vegetation Re-allocation of waterRe-allocation of water Development of surface water resources (e.g. dams)Development of surface water resources (e.g. dams) Transfer of waterTransfer of water

17. Water resources under direct control of the Minister Water in South Africa is a national assetWater in South Africa is a national asset Some water in each WMA under direct control of Minister - quantity and qualitySome water in each WMA under direct control of Minister - quantity and quality –Reserve (ecological Reserve, basic human needs) –water to meet international rights and obligations –water use of strategic importance (e.g. to generate electricity) –transfers of water between water management areas –contingency to meet future growth

18. Infrastructure development Indicative listIndicative list Creation of infrastructure branch in DeptCreation of infrastructure branch in Dept Possible establishment of NWRIAPossible establishment of NWRIA Formal process of approval for any infrastructure developmentFormal process of approval for any infrastructure development Economic infrastructure off budget, social infrastructure exchequer fundedEconomic infrastructure off budget, social infrastructure exchequer funded

19. Major Challenges Reallocating water use to -Reallocating water use to - –achieve equity of access –make water available for productive livelihoods in rual areas –ensure that existing beneficial uses can continue –meet international obligations in shared rivers Balancing use of water resources with protection to ensure sustainable developmentBalancing use of water resources with protection to ensure sustainable development “This has given rise to what is perhaps the most important challenge facing our water manager, which is the need to introduce equity in resource distribution”. Minister Sonjica

20. Major Challenges Creating sustainable water management institutions that are –Creating sustainable water management institutions that are – –financially viable from water use charges –technically competent –representative of water users and stakeholders –5 CMAs to be established before March 2005 Funding infrastructure development from user charges, where appropriate.Funding infrastructure development from user charges, where appropriate.

21. Implementation Implementation will be - Multi-yearMulti-year PrioritisedPrioritised –geographically in respect of water stress –in accordance with developmental needs IntegratedIntegrated –in management approaches and strategies –with other programmes and initiatives Document will be translated Easy to read version will be produced

22. Financial implications Pricing strategy review under wayPricing strategy review under way –Waste discharge and abstraction charges CMAs intended to be financially viableCMAs intended to be financially viable Extra costs to be dealt with in normal budget processExtra costs to be dealt with in normal budget process

23. WSSD - JPOI target WSSD - JPOI target - all countries must have integrated water resource management plans and water conservation plans by 2005WSSD - JPOI target - all countries must have integrated water resource management plans and water conservation plans by 2005 NWRS meets this target, a year in advanceNWRS meets this target, a year in advance

24. Thank youThank you