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Scope
The strategic focus for research in this key strategic
area (KSA) is largely guided by the principles and objectives
of the National Water Act (NWA) of 1998. The primary
principle of the Act is that water resources should
be managed to achieve optimum long-term social and economic
benefits for all; this implies maintaining an optimum
balance between protection of the environment and efficient
utilisation. This KSA supports the implementation of
the policy by developing tools and technologies for
water resource assessment, guidelines and decision-support
systems to support decision makers in achieving equitable
and efficient allocation of water resources among competing
needs. The research puts emphasis on multidisciplinary
approaches that provide decision makers and planners
with appropriate tools that enable them to take cognizance
of social, environmental and economic factors in the
planning of water resource development.
The research focus is shifting from supporting policy-making to providing guidance for policy implementation
and development of policy instruments. The challenge
for research in this KSA is to provide the necessary
information systems, guidelines, decision-support systems,
prediction tools and technologies/methodologies that
support protection of water resources and equitable
allocation of water to meet the needs of the environment,
social and economic development. The NWA puts emphasis
on the stakeholder participation in water resource management;
this requires effective participatory tools and approaches
that can support multi-stakeholder participation in
water resource management at catchment level.
Objectives
The primary objective of research in this KSA is
to ensure that the water resources of South Africa are
protected, utilised, developed, conserved and managed
to achieve environmental, social and economic
sustainability. The secondary aims have been
streamlined from previous business plans to reflect
the needs analysis process. Thus, the revised aims to
support the primary objective are to:
- Develop a scientific understanding of the hydrological cycle (and inter-linkages) in order to promote a systematic assessment and variability of the quantity and quality of water available for development in South Africa
- Build up appropriate quantitative understanding, tools and adaptive strategies for managing the impacts of extreme climatic events (floods and droughts) due to global warming and human-induced impacts on water re-sources (including the understanding of the impact on human health)
- Provide control measures for improving the prevention, mitigation and control of pollution of water resources
- Support and improve policy reforms for promoting equitable, efficient and sustainable conservation and allocation of water resources among competing needs.
Budget Allocation
The consolidated budgets
(subject to revised budget approval) for the 2008/2009 and
2009/2010 research portfolios are presented below:
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Research Portfolio |
2008/2009 (R) |
2009/2010 (R) |
| Current projects |
19 913 729 |
18 653 600 |
| New projects |
7 758 500 |
7 121 754 |
| Total |
27 672 229 |
25 775 354 |
Project Portfolio for 2008/2009
The thrusts are as
indicated below. The projects contributing to each strategic thrust are
grouped according to specific programmes:
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KSA 1: Water Resource Management