I. Water Issues Overview
Africa Situation
RSA Situation
RSA Situation South Africa is a water stressed country and as our country grows and the economy develops, there is an increasing demand for water. The Gouritz WMA Catchments are no different!!! Unfortunately the amount of water will not increase and the gap between how much water is available and how much water we need, will grow. The DWS together with the BGCMA must therefore manage our water resources to achieve the most beneficial use of water in the interests of the all citizens in the country as a whole
The Legislative Backdrop The National Water Act (NWA) No. 36 of 1998 recognises that water is a scarce and unevenly distributed resource requiring careful management in the best interest of all South Africans. It makes Government (through the BGCMA in your area) responsible for protecting and managing water resources. But they cannot do this alone – your support is needed!!!
The Broader South African Water Context
The current crisis .....
A Contentious Resource ….. Recognising that … The issue of water is always CONTENTIOUS – it always evokes strong emotions whenever and wherever it is discussed!!! … its availability, pollution / contamination, scarcity, entitlements to its use, water use charges & payments, management, control, protection, etc., etc., etc.
Complex, Extensive & Intensive ….. Recognising that … Water is a very COMPLEX natural resource to manage. There are complexities in the number and the nature of issues and it is necessary to PRIORITISE these for attention. It is not possible to address all issues at once; however, if certain actions can resolve several problems – these would be the options of choice.
Problems - Past and Present …. Recognising that … There are PROBLEMS – historical and current! Finger-pointing and blame apportioning is not going to make these go away. Collaborate to remedy the problem!!!
How and When to act ….. Recognising that … There is “no perfect time” to act. We need to plan and act as necessary and appropriate – guided by the best available resources, information and knowledge at the time – but PLAN and ACT!!! New information and knowledge are generated every day.
What do we do? Acknowledge that water matters have … a contentious and problematic nature, are complex, and there is a need to plan and act! As a community, work towards a shared understanding of your common issues THEN Work together to prioritise and resolve the most important and urgent of these issues
Water Management Areas and Main Water Transfers
International Rivers Shared by South Africa
Is there enough where we need it? National Water Reconciliation Scenarios 2000
WMA 16: Gouritz - Rainfall and Evaporation
WMA 16: Gouritz - Base Map
Sectoral Water Requirements (2000)
Water Availability (2000)
Water Reconciliation (2000)
Water Reconciliation (Future)
Groundwater • Groundwater of major importance in Gouritz WMA • Primary source of water for rural domestic supplies and stock watering, as well as for several towns in WMA • Most groundwater, however, is used for irrigation • Oudtshoorn geological fault may discharge large quantities of water to the ocean – this may be abstracted for inland utilisation • Significant quantities of water may be abstractable Table Mountain Group geological formations - further investigations required • Little (if any) potential for further exploitation of ground-water resources without impacting on surface water
Water Quality • Water quality in inland (Karoo) rivers generally poor due to natural high salinity of the water • Water quality in upper reaches of rivers generally of high standard - becomes mineralised downstream as result of geology and evaporation from rivers • Water in lower reaches of Gouritz River is unacceptable for most uses due to high salinity • Water quality in the coastal rivers is generally good - impacts of human activities evident in some rivers • Quality of groundwater in general appropriate for use - brackish water commonly in drier areas • No contamination of groundwater as result of human activity - risk thereof is insignificant in Gouritz WMA
Key Issues • Current developed water resources fully utilised - some inland towns experience insufficient reliability of supply • Serious deficits may result from implementation of the Reserve in the Coastal sub-area • Most irrigation opportunistic or supplementary • Strong connectivity between groundwater and surface water in Olifants and Coastal sub-areas • Water in middle and lower reaches of Gouritz River and its tributaries of high salinity - also applies to groundwater in some areas • Special attention to prevent salinisation of soils and manage the impact of return flows on salinity levels
Key Issues (2) • Efficiency of irrigation very low at some schemes • Future economic and population growth along the coast with accompanying increases in requirements • Under high scenario: additional requirements for water may be in excess of undeveloped resource potential • Substantial potential for further development of surface water resources in Coastal sub-area - environmentally very important and sensitive area - feasibility strongly influenced by requirements for Reserve • Potential for additional afforestation and utilisation of groundwater from Table Mountain Group aquifers
Water Resources under control of the Minister • Continued transfer of water of about 0,7 million m 3 /a to the Breede WMA
WUV Project Linkages The results of this project will update the currently available information on water uses, users and water resources Other projects to which there are linkages include: • Catchment Management Agency Establishment • Irrigation Board Transformation & Water User Association Establishment • Water Availability Assessment & Planning Studies • Reserve Determinations • Operating Rules for Dams and Systems • Socio-Economic Implications of Water Restrictions • Water Revenue and Billing Systems Optimisation
Be Involved!
WUV Project Benefits Finally …. Project benefits include the following: (1) Unlawful users will be identified and unlawful uses stopped (2) Water Use Charges will be more accurate and collection more efficient (3) Water Management becomes more effective: • Users will have greater water security • Restrictions will be better managed • The availability of water for local and regional socio-economic development will be clearer • Future needs can be better catered for
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