THE COMPLEXITY OF IMPLEMENTING AN AGRICULTURAL WATER CONSERVATION AND DEMAND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY: A CASE STUDY FROM THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE OF SOUTH AFRICA

Melanie Wilkinson, CSIR-Environmentek
Email: mwilkinson

Thokozile Malubane, CSIR-Environmentek
Email: gmalubane

Jackie Crafford, CSIR-Environmentek
Email: jcraffor


Abstract
The limited water resource availability in South Africa has prompted the country to recognize the importance and challenges to management and conservation of water resources. The Government has the responsibility to ensure that water resources are protected, utilized, developed, conserved, managed and controlled in a manner which will be equitable, sustainable and beneficial to all. The Government is currently developing a National Water Conservation and Demand Management (WC/DM) Strategy that provides a solid foundation for the formulation of WC/DM Strategy for the agricultural sector. This Strategy strives to promote equitable and efficient use of water, stimulate productivity and reduce inequalities.

The South African Water Act provides for the establishment of Water User Associations (WUA) as co-operative associations of water users. The role of the WUA is dependent on the functional role of the association, however, all WUAs are required to develop and implement Water Management Plans (WMP). This paper highlights the complexities experienced by the Orange-Vaal WUA in the development of a WMP. The Orange-Vaal WUA was one of three associations within South Africa selected to pilot the implementation of a strategy. The pilot served to highlight some of the limitations of developing a WMP. The paper explores these complexities.