WATER ALLOCATION REFORM – WESTERN CAPE

PERSPECTIVE

ABDULLA PARKER (Catchment Manager)

18 October 2005

OLIFANTS - DOORN

BERG

BREEDE GOURITZ

WESTERN CAPE REGIONWATER MANAGEMENT AREAS

HOW WATER ALLOCATION REFORM IS IMPLEMENTED IN THE

WESTERN CAPE1. Licence applications2. Financial assistance3. Development of new schemes 4. Voluntary re-allocation5. Purchase of water rights by

Implementing Agents6. Transformation of Water

Management Institutions7. Verification of water allocation8. Addressing illegal water use

1. LICENCE APPLICATIONS

Section 27 b(ii) of NWA – need to redress the imbalances of the past

Licence applications not approved if there is no benefit for HDIs

Examples of applications Lutouw equity project (close to

Lutzville)

2. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Section 61 of National Water HDIs can qualify for subsidy to

purchase or build bulk water infrastructure (Maximum subsidy: R15 000/Ha)

To purchase water use rights. Maximum subsidy is R 7500/Ha

Co-operate with other Departments and Organisations to maximise assistance

Example – Ceres Koekedouw scheme, Lutouw

3. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCHEMES

Development of new schemes to utilise limited surplus water

Ensure that HDI also benefit from the new developments

Examples: Raising of Clanwilliam Dam Osplaas Dam in Hex Valley

OLIFANTS - DOORN

4. VOLUNTARILY RE-ALOCATION

Water User Association members reduce water allocations voluntarily

Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs

Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs

Example: Central Breede WUA (proposed 2,5%)

5. PURCHASE OF WATER RIGHTS BY IMPLEMENTING AGENTS

Water User Association purchases water rights

Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs

Example is LORWUA that has purchased 11 Ha of water rights

Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs

6. TRANSFORMATION OF WATER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS

All IBs being transformed into WUAs Ensure that HDIs and Emerging Farmers

are part of the management committees Empowerment of Emerging Farmers

through capacity building and access to financial support

40 Irrigation Boards already transformed into 30 WUAs

Examples: Lower Olifants River WUA Central Breede (amalgamation of 3

Irrigation Boards)

7. VERIFICATION OF WATER ALLOCATION

Verification of existing lawful use in specific areas to ensure more accurate information on water use

Amendments to registered water use

Evaluate water availability and targets for re-allocation

Example: Jan Dissels River project Further priorities for larger catchments envisaged (Olifants/Doorn and Berg WMA)

8. ADDRESSING ILEGAL WATER USE

Investigate possible illegal water uses

Follow up with legal procedures to ensure that illegal activity is addressed

Examples: Hol River illegal dams Stream flow reduction (trees

removed)

Water Use VerificationJan Dissels River Pilot Project

Defining the need: Water to meet the Reserve: Human and

Ecological Reserve. Conflict over water: long history. Water to correct past imbalances

(Rural Poor & Resource Poor Irrigation Farmers)

Addressing possible over-allocation & unlawful use.

Deal with new license applications. Precursor to compulsory licensing?

Water Use VerificationJan Dissels River Pilot Project

Methodology: Participative: planning with water users,

RPF groups, local authorities & CBO’s Validate Existing Lawful Use: Qualifying

Period, Registered Use & Current Use. Balance available water with needs:

Human, Ecological, Existing, Lawful Use & Redress

Verify Water Use: Water user applies to DWAF.

Thank you, Inkosi, Dankie

QUESTIONS WELCOME