|
Scope
The Water Use and Waste Management KSA focuses
mainly on the domestic, industrial and mining water
sectors. It aims to proactively and effectively lead
and support the advancement of technology, science,
management and policies relevant to water supply, waste
and effluent management, for these sectors. This KSA
also supports studies on institutional and management
issues, with special emphasis on the efficient functioning
of water service institutions and their viability. Research
on infrastructure for both water supply and sanitation
is included. A further focus is on water supply and
treatment technology serving the domestic (urban, rural,
large and small systems) as well as the industrial/commercial
and mining sectors of our economy. This KSA also focuses
on waste and effluent as well as reuse technologies
that can support the municipal, mining and industrial
sectors and improve management in these sectors with
the aim of improving productivity and supporting economic
growth while minimising negative effects on human and
environmental health.
The provision and supply of water of adequate quality
and quantity for economic and public health purposes
remain continuous challenges. Water is a finite
resource and, specifically in the context of South
Africa, becoming incrementally scarce. Managing water
use and the waste released to the water environment is
thus of paramount importance to ensure the
sustainability of the resource and the activities
relying on it.
Water use and waste management in South Africa is
consequently a key factor for social and economic
growth, as well as for our environment. The entire way
we think about and use water is thus an important factor
in determining our future. A changing institutional
environment and the need for strong institutional
capacity exacerbate this challenge.
Objectives
The primary objective of this KSA is to provide knowledge
that ensures reliable, affordable and efficient water
use and waste management services to enhance the quality
of life, and contribute to economic growth and improved
public health.
The secondary objectives are to:
- Improve the management of water services in
both rural and urban areas
- Develop appropriate technologies for improving
the quality and quantity of our water supplies for both
domestic use and industrial applications
- Develop new approaches to manage and enhance
hygiene and sanitation practices
- Provide appropriate, innovative and integrated
solutions to water and waste management in the industrial
and mining sectors.
- Develop applications for improved treatment
of wastewater and effluent and improve processes for
enabling increased reuse thereof.
- Improve health, economic and environmental conditions
while supporting the development of appropriate technologies
and socially-focused management practices related to
water and effluent management.
Budget Allocation
The consolidated budgets
(subject to revised budget approval) for the 2008/2009 and
2009/20010 research portfolios are presented below:
|
Research Portfolio |
2008/2009 (R) |
2009/2010 (R) |
| Current projects |
24 432 552 |
23 238 681 |
| New projects |
8 630 275 |
9 145 960 |
| Total |
33 062 827 |
32 384 641 |
Project Portfolio for 2008/2009
The projects contributing to each strategic thrust are
grouped according to specific programmes:
|
KSA 3: Water Use and Waste
Management