The core strategy of the WRC requires a number of key crosscutting issues of national importance to be addressed. Each of the KSAs, through its own portfolio of thrusts and programmes, makes an important contribution to addressing these issues. However, to ensure that the WRC research portfolio as a whole achieves the desired impact with regard to each of these key strategic issues, they are dealt with specifically in four Impact Areas (previously referred to as Crosscutting Domains) established purposely to provide for the necessary integration and leadership roles and functions. Apart from being of national importance, the issues addressed by the Impact Areas enjoy regional and international priority, as the agendas of major events and movements such as the WSSD, successive meetings of the World Water Forum as well as NEPAD have clearly shown.

The integrating function of the Impact Areas entails drawing together programmes and projects which address the relevant crosscutting issues and which are under way within the portfolios of each of the KSAs. Leadership and support is also provided for new KSA initiatives which can further knowledge with regard to Impact Area-related strategic thrusts. The domains may also drive specific programmes/ projects that are overarching and relate to all KSAs in a general manner.

The Impact Areas address the following key issues:

• Water and Society
• Water and the Economy
• Water and the Environment
• Water and Health