Abstract
Despite recent reforms in its water sector policies and legislation, South Africa’s water governance system remains somewhat fragmented because of the need for separate management approaches to address different environmental components of the hydrological cycle. With the responsibility for different components of the hydrological cycle spread amongst several government agencies at different levels of government, integrated management of water across the hydrological cycle will require improved co-operative governance. Examination of existing governance systems and current understandings of biodiversity provides evidence to suggest that a far closer alignment between a particular governance system and the biophysical components and ecological processes comprising a specific environmental system that supports society could significantly enhance our systems of environmental governance. In turn, this would offer society the chance to design water resource management systems that better anticipate, reflect and respond to changes in environmental components and processes within the hydrological cycle. In future, greater emphasis will need to be placed on increased levels of co-operation between relevant governance systems related to water, as well as increased trans-disciplinary research that can better define the links between environmental governance systems and ecological systems.
Highlights
The priorities and approaches to management of water resources in South Africa have undergone significant changes in recent years
The National Water Act (NWA) recognises that water resources occur in different forms that reflect the different components of the hydrological cycle, and that integrated management of all these components and aspects of water resources is necessary in order to achieve sustainable use of water for the benefit of all its users (Republic of South Africa, 1998)
We explore the potential implications of adopting such an “interdependence” philosophy as a basis for sustainable water resource management in South Africa
Summary
The priorities and approaches to management of water resources in South Africa have undergone significant changes in recent years. The NWA recognises that water resources occur in different forms that reflect the different components of the hydrological cycle (aquatic, terrestrial, subterranean, atmospheric and marine), and that integrated management of all these components and aspects of water resources is necessary in order to achieve sustainable use of water for the benefit of all its users (Republic of South Africa, 1998). Ment, a shift in thinking is necessary, from a point where water is seen as a commodity to one where water resources are recognised as integral parts of a larger ecosystem This ecosystem approach requires an understanding of the relationships between the various components of the hydrological cycle and the linkages and inter-relationships between these components.
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