The DWAF must strive to manage our water resources to achieve the most beneficial use of water in the interests of the nation as a whole – this includes a constitutional mandate for water reform

Water policy, law and strategy The Constitution, 1996 Fundamental Principles & Objectives for a New South African Water Law, 1996 National Water Policy, 1997 National Water Resource Strategy, First Edition, 2004 National Water Act, 1998 Implications for water allocation reform

Policy Objectives The fundamental objectives of the National Water Policy are to achieve – ► Equity - in access to water services, the use of water, and the benefits of water use (Note the difference between equity and equality) ► Sustainability - in use of water, through measures to protect water resources to ensure indefinite availability for human use ► Efficiency - in use of water Equity, sustainability and efficiency are all intimately related to water allocation reform

NWRS Purposes – Framework for CMSs A catchment management strategy is the framework for water resources management in a water management area. The NWRS provides the framework within which all catchment management strategies will be prepared and implemented in a manner that is consistent (not uniform) throughout the country. In particular, in terms of section 9(b), a catchment management strategy must not be in conflict with the NWRS.

NWRS – Water Use “Chapter 4 - Use of Water - is one of the most important parts of the National Water Act because, among other things, it describes the provisions according to which water use may be progressively adjusted to achieve the Act's principal objectives of equity of access to water and sustainable and efficient use of water.” NWRS Ch3, Pt 2, first paragraph

NWRS – Compulsory Licensing The NWRS outlines the process of compulsory licensing as follows (Ch 3, Pt 8) – -Verification of existing water use -Determination of water resource availability -Classification of the water resource -Setting of resource quality objectives -Determination of the Reserve -Development of components of the catchment management strategy -Calling for and evaluation of licence applications -Preparation of water allocation schedules and undertaking public consultation on them -Announcing water use allocations in the Government Gazette -Issuing licences

Take-home messages  The NWRS is the broad framework for managing water resources in South Africa  It provides much useful information, but it is not sufficiently detailed to facilitate authorising individual water uses  The fundamental objectives of managing water resources in South Africa are to achieve equity, sustainability and efficiency  Water allocation reform is at the heart of achieving these objectives  (More or less) everyone is involved

WHY DO WE NEED WATER ALLOCATION REFORM? 1) To promote PROACTIVE ACTION for redress 2) To ACHIEVE sustainable and equitable development 3) To SUPPORT poverty eradication & economic development 4) To HELP BALANCE resource protection, equity and growth

WHAT ARE THE UNDERLYING CONSIDERATIONS? 1)The way we allocate water can have severe economic, political, social and ecological consequences 2)Where we must re-allocate water – minimise the impacts on the economy 3)We must make sure that everyone has the capacity to use the water productively and responsibly 4)We must support development – but in an ecologically sustainable way

WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS? Water Availability (Model) Installed Modeling System Reserve scenarios Ecological class & Reserve Process to finalise Interactive developing of reconciliation options (incl Water Conservation & Demand Management) Recommendations Existing lawful use Allocation schedule Process to finalise License applications Future use (IDP,PGDS) Water required for equity, rural development Public Participation Publication, Appeals, etc Process to finalise CMS Develop Catchment Management Strategy National Water Resources Strategy ISP Public Awareness CMA & WUA establishment Water use licensing

PHASES OF WATER ALLOCATIONS / COMPULSORY LICENSING PREPARATORYMID- CL / ALLOCATION POST- M & E RDM Verification of existing lawful use Water Balance Initiate Communications Campaign Engagement with other spheres of Govt (IDP,PGDS,ISRDP,LUMP) Internal Strategic Perspectives / Situational Assessments Public Engagement Monitoring impact of process & outcomes (socio- economic indicators) RDM Catchment Assessment Report (from Prep phase) - RDM & Allocation Plans + Schedules -

WHAT IS “BENEFICIAL USE OF WATER IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST”? WATER ALLOCATION MUST PROMOTE: Economic growth & social development Job creation Equitable Access to water Social stability Investor confidence Protection of aquatic ecosystems Efficient and non-wasteful use of water A balance between sectors

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE BENEFICIAL USE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST? 1)PROMOTE APPLICATIONS FROM, AND AUTHORISATIONS TO, DISADVANTAGED USERS Cooperative governance Facilitating authorisations with a high public interest Promoting BEE and women owned businesses Capacity building to support productive uses

Promote the equitable distribution of the benefits of productive water use Minimise the impacts on the existing lawful users 2)WATER ALLOCATIONS AND REALLOCATIONS MUST BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

3)MUST PROMOTE BENEFICIAL, PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT USEMUST PROMOTE BENEFICIAL, PRODUCTIVE AND EFFICIENT USE Support livelihoods but not poverty traps Promote a balance use of water in a variety of sectors Capacity building and awareness wrt the most beneficial uses Increased benefits per drop used

Sustainable development balances current needs with future needs Gradual movement to improved functioning agreed by stakeholder Accept screening or desktop impact assessments if the use is beneficial Aim to secure a minimum level of ecosystem functioning first 4)MUST BALANCE IMPACTS WITH PUBLIC INTEREST

5)MUST SPEED UP PROCESSING OF HIGH PUBLIC INTEREST – LOW IMPACT APPLICATIONS [S 27] PUBLIC INTEREST IMPACT LOWHIGH LOW HIGH SCHED 1 GENERAL AUTHOR. RAPID PROCESS DETAILED PROCESS COMPULSORY LICENSING

6)LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT MUST VARY BETWEEN CATCHMENTS