National Water Resource Strategy – 2 PPC Hearings October 2012 Comments from The Water Research Commission WRC 2012

Comment 1 :The NWRS-2 Process Revitalisation of the national water dialogue last experienced with the NWA on the late 90s. We’ve had 20 years of consistent growth, a huge extension of basic servicing and the colossal change in consumption patterns – and some of the ills of 200 years of imprudent mining practices have come home to roost. The strain of water resources and water ecosystems is immense.

Reflections: the 2012 NWRS process Notion of a water crisis in South Africa. Other countries with similar or less water than South Africa per capita keep the crisis away through the following means: 1.High levels of Science, Technology and Innovation, 2.Good infrastructure, and, 3.High levels of dedicated skill.

Comment 2 - The NWRS-2 must be supported by robust research and development There is a need for a Water Research and Development Framework. This must be developed with multi- stakeholder consultation. There must be a co-ordinated roll-out. This can be co-ordinated on behalf of the Minister and DWA by the WRC

A brief glimpse at the state of Water R&D In South Africa and the world

Confronting the global water crisis through research, Elsevier 2011

Considering SA’s historical scientific performance Data from the WRC Pulse Rate study on the state of water research and development in South Africa. Using the proxy indicator of the country’s performance in the Thomson Reuters ISI for reliable global comparison. Using the ISI category of Water Resources.

SA water publications

World share of SA water research publications

Water resources articles: South Africa and selected countries RankCountryNumber of Publications 1USA China PRC3619 3UK2779 4Germany2754 5Canada2486 6France2348 7Spain2097 8Australia2027 9Italy India Japan Netherlands South Korea Taiwan979 15Switzerland Brazil Iran726 18Greece South Africa677 20Belgium650 21Sweden598

Relative impact of SA water research publications

Water Research SA - Prolific Institutions InstitutionsRecord Count University of Pretoria287 University of Cape Town239 CSIR183 University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Rhodes Univ.159 Univ. Witwatersrand148 Univ. Natal (historical)136 Univ. Stellenbosch133 Univ. Johannesburg94 Univ. Orange Free State91 Rand Afrikaans Univ.72 Univ. Western Cape54 Dept Water Affairs & Forestry51 Tshwane University of Technology39 Univ. Zululand39 Water Res Commission38 Potchefstroom Univ.35 Univ. FT Hare35 Univ. Free State33 Univ. Venda32 Umgeni Water31

Features of the R&D Agenda Planning around the ‘wicked problem’ that water matters present => seeking the innovative solutions with potential multiplier effects. Need for Trans-disciplinarity and in particular bringing the social and other sciences together. Seeking niches for global leadership.

Further Comments Polluted waters as a resource. Importance of Freshwater ecosystems. Dealing with the water-energy-food nexus. Water and Gender. Opportunity of the International Freshwater Governance Conference, South Africa, November 2012.

Thank You WRC Board June