The development of a framework for the involvement of local government in water resource management, linked to water services provision


Sponsor: Water Research Commission
Leaders: Ms L Haigh, Prof DA Hughes
Staff: Ms H Fox, Mr Z Zenani
Duration: April 2006 - March 2008


Aims and Objectives

 Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is an international ideology that has been defined "as a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems" (National Water Resources Strategy). The benefits of achieving IWRM are considerable. Within the context of IWRM, the broad focus of the project is to determine the resources and steps required for a local municipality to implement their legal mandates of water services delivery and those aspects of water resources management such as pollution prevention, in a more integrated manner. In particular, the development and annual reconsideration of the Water Services Development Plan (WSDP) as part of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and the Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP) is of prime concern. One of the main outputs of our research will be a framework for a category B municipality that makes explicit the links between Water Services Development and Water Resource Management. It is envisaged that if a category B municipality understands and follows this framework they will be in a better position to practice IWRM. Linked to this framework will be a case study of Makana Municipality that identifies the challenges and problems preventing compliance with IWRM principles. Recommendations will be given and a range of tools developed and made accessible for Category B municipalities to use in the goal of fulfilling IWRM at a local municipal level.

Last Modified: Fri, 14 Aug 2015 11:50:10 SAST