WATER ALLOCATION REFORM – WESTERN CAPE PERSPECTIVE ABDULLA PARKER (Catchment Manager) 18 October 2005

OLIFANTS - DOORN BERG BREEDE GOURITZ WESTERN CAPE REGION WATER MANAGEMENT AREAS

HOW WATER ALLOCATION REFORM IS IMPLEMENTED IN THE WESTERN CAPE 1.Licence applications 2.Financial assistance 3.Development of new schemes 4.Voluntary re-allocation 5.Purchase of water rights by Implementing Agents 6.Transformation of Water Management Institutions 7.Verification of water allocation 8.Addressing illegal water use

1.LICENCE APPLICATIONS Section 27 b(ii) of NWA – need to redress the imbalances of the past Licence applications not approved if there is no benefit for HDIs Examples of applications Lutouw equity project (close to Lutzville)

2.FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Section 61 of National Water HDIs can qualify for subsidy to purchase or build bulk water infrastructure (Maximum subsidy: R15 000/Ha) To purchase water use rights. Maximum subsidy is R 7500/Ha Co-operate with other Departments and Organisations to maximise assistance Example – Ceres Koekedouw scheme, Lutouw

3. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCHEMES Development of new schemes to utilise limited surplus water Ensure that HDI also benefit from the new developments Examples: Raising of Clanwilliam Dam Osplaas Dam in Hex Valley

OLIFANTS - DOORN

4. VOLUNTARILY RE- ALOCATION Water User Association members reduce water allocations voluntarily Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs Example: Central Breede WUA (proposed 2,5%)

5. PURCHASE OF WATER RIGHTS BY IMPLEMENTING AGENTS Water User Association purchases water rights Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs Example is LORWUA that has purchased 11 Ha of water rights Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs

6. TRANSFORMATION OF WATER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS All IBs being transformed into WUAs Ensure that HDIs and Emerging Farmers are part of the management committees Empowerment of Emerging Farmers through capacity building and access to financial support 40 Irrigation Boards already transformed into 30 WUAs Examples: Lower Olifants River WUA Central Breede (amalgamation of 3 Irrigation Boards)

7. VERIFICATION OF WATER ALLOCATION Verification of existing lawful use in specific areas to ensure more accurate information on water use Amendments to registered water use Evaluate water availability and targets for re-allocation Example: Jan Dissels River project Further priorities for larger catchments envisaged (Olifants/Doorn and Berg WMA)

8. ADDRESSING ILEGAL WATER USE Investigate possible illegal water uses Follow up with legal procedures to ensure that illegal activity is addressed Examples: Hol River illegal dams Stream flow reduction (trees removed)

Water Use Verification Jan Dissels River Pilot Project Defining the need: Water to meet the Reserve: Human and Ecological Reserve. Conflict over water: long history. Water to correct past imbalances (Rural Poor & Resource Poor Irrigation Farmers) Addressing possible over-allocation & unlawful use. Deal with new license applications. Precursor to compulsory licensing?

Water Use Verification Jan Dissels River Pilot Project Methodology: Participative: planning with water users, RPF groups, local authorities & CBO’s Validate Existing Lawful Use: Qualifying Period, Registered Use & Current Use. Balance available water with needs: Human, Ecological, Existing, Lawful Use & Redress Verify Water Use: Water user applies to DWAF.

Thank you, Inkosi, Dankie QUESTIONS WELCOME