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