Framework for local government to implement integrated water resource management linked to water service delivery

E.H Haigh,H Davies-Coleman,H Fox

doi:10.4314/wsa.v36i4.58424

Abstract

The Water Services Act (No. 8 of 1997) of South Africa states that water service delivery is the responsibility of local government as Water Services Authorities. The principal legal responsibility is to complete a Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) every 5 years with annual review. The WSDP encapsulates all the responsibilities and tasks required in water service delivery. However, it does not spell out local government’s role in water resource protection or its responsibilities as far as integrated water resource management is concerned. It is well known in South Africa that there is a challenging level of inadequate capacity in technical and administrative skills in local government to adequately fulfil water service delivery. This paper highlights the consequences of this incapacity for municipalities and their difficulties in fulfilling their responsibilities as service providers. A framework is provided within which improvements can be brought about, with guidance on how to engage in the practice of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the context of the legal framework for water services. The additional tasks and changes required to practise IWRM are set in the context of the WSDP. The framework provides a guide for a municipality to first accomplish an adequate WSDP, and then to gradually implement IWRM. A discussion on the skills needed to accomplish, firstly, a comprehensive WSDP, and secondly, IWRM, is included.Keywords: local government mandates, water service delivery, water service planning, integrated water resource management, skills and training needs, water resource management, solid waste management

Highlights

In recent years, a more integrated approach to the management of natural resources has been advocated
Local government (LG), being strategically located between the national policy-making level and water consumers, has a significant role to play in water management and in engaging local communities to participate in Integrated water resource management (IWRM) processes
This paper examines how local government can engage in the practice of IWRM in the context of the legal framework for water services

Summary

Introduction

In recent years, a more integrated approach to the management of natural resources has been advocated. IWRM aims to find a balance between the social, environmental and technological perspectives of water resource management. The South African National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) (NWA) promotes an integrated catchment-based approach to water resource management. Interpretive, guided discus- and municipal managers and members resource management and protection, licenssion of relevant sections executive mayors to be tested ing and obligations of citizens. All officials in water serv- Interested parties only This is the implementation strategy of the Strategy – guided seminars on ices, municipal managers and NWA and introduces approaches and straterelevant sections only executive mayors gies in various sectors. Develops new skills spreadsheet and relational nated posts with basic skills data storage systems

Methods

Results

Conclusion