Stanley Liphadzi Sustainability of shared freshwater resources in the South Africa Dialogue on Water Governance 2015, Fortaleza, Brazil, November 2015

Water in South Africa and SADC Water is a scarce resource. Mean annual precipitation is about 500 mm The Eastern and South parts of the country receive more rainfall. Water quality worsen our H 2 O challenges.

A drought prone region Observed and simulated datasets were used

Other Challenges Like many developing nations, SA has to strike a balance between water resource use and protection. In pursuit of its development agenda, the country has encountered several water challenges. The most concern of them all is water (Quality,.... which cannot be separated from Quantity in South Africa) What use to bring certain kind of relief as solution…… are now of little use!

Water Resources protection related policies National Departments W& S EALan d AgricM&ELG H 2 O Quality & Quantity Ecosystems & Biodiversity Land Care Env. Pollution

How much is enough – policies? The departs responsible with water and environment developed several policies aimed at challenges relating to water and the env. The main ones are National Water Act (NWA), National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), National Water Service Act. How many more should we have? How many amendments do we need?

We always say, everybody “lives downstream”, -Water management should be focused on the whole catchment/basin. We look at policies for guidance to abate water and env. problems. …….. is it where the solutions are? We always say, everybody “lives downstream”, -Water management should be focused on the whole catchment/basin. We look at policies for guidance to abate water and env. problems. …….. is it where the solutions are? We have unequal society (in socio-economic terms), which compels decision makers to be pro- poor and the voiceless.

Olifants WMA as a case study area Olifants

The Olifants Water Management Area The Olifants WMA has a surface area of approximately km 2. Comprised of secondary catchments with significant variations in climate, water availability, level and nature of economic development, and population density.

Land Cover/ Use The major land uses are, agriculture, afforestation, livestock and game farming, and mining. The eastern portion of the catchment is under conservation (KNP).

Conditions of Water Resources Mostly: Reduced Flows / over-abstraction (quantity) Pollution (quality)

Water requirements in the Olifants WMA

Quantity & Reconciliation This overall water resources situation shows that the catchment is in deficit of 192 M m 3 /a Availability/ Use Upper Olifants Middle OlifantsSteelpoort Lower Olifants Total Total local yield Transfers in Grand Total Water Availability Use Irrigation Urban Rural Mining and industrial Power Generation Afforestation Total requirements Transfers out Grand Total Required Balance

Environmental Flow Requirements

The Reserve and Water Use licensing

Water quality is a neglected part of the Reserve The declining water quality in the Olifants WMA is related to: – Acid-mine drainage, – Increased mining activity in the upper catchment, – Poor waste-water and sewerage treatment plants. People, industries, and the ecosystems are negatively impacted by poor water quality

TDS conc

Sulphate conc. CEV = Chronic Effective Value

N:P ratio

SO 4 :Cl ratio Mining & power generation

…..is the support sufficient! ARE POLICY INSTRUMENT (STILL) APPROPRIATE? Relevancy Reliability Backed by new Scientific evidence IMPLEMENTATION PLAN? HR? – Monitoring and Evaluation – Compliance Transforming structures Legal system Political will

Key Success Areas Strengthen Implementation Improve competency Have sufficient human capacity Have required tools for the job Strengthen knowledge uptake capacity. Review and improve all your instruments (legal, technical, governance, etc.) Improve understanding Innovative research Contextualization and Operationalization of knowledge. Strengthen basin/catchment based management effort; Improve monitoring and reporting systems Enforce compliance all the time Innovative research Contextualization and Operationalization of knowledge. Strengthen basin/catchment based management effort; Improve monitoring and reporting systems Enforce compliance all the time

The rainfall datasets are needed for planning and proper management of water resources We used to have >2000 stations. Currently, we have less than 700 stations. We need to revamp our monitoring networks Working weather stations Years 700 Stations 700 Stations

Types of Water Use (revised) – Linked to pricing Strat

Ecological Infrastructure as the only hope for Low & Middle-Income Economies Years Value Ecological Built

Governance is key in achieving Sustainable Growth and Dev.

Conclusions We need to stop to approach natural resources management from a single-domain perspective. Poorly implemented Policies and Strategies (although attractive) are as good as not having them. Investment in R&D and capacity building is insufficient. Partnership with the regional and global community is a necessity.

Thank you