Seawater desalination as an option to alleviate water scarcity in South Africa: the need for a strategic approach to planning and environmental decision-making

In the last decade, seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) has come to be seen by policy-makers as a novel technology that will significantly advance water security in South African coastal regions. Water purveyors, from the private sector, local/district municipalities and provincial authorities, are undertaking studies to explore the feasibility of SWRO to meet growing demand and relieve mounting pressure on current bulk water supply infrastructure. With this in mind, it is suggested that national strategic planning should be introduced to present the opportunities and constraints of the desalination option within the national water and energy policy. In absence of this, piece-meal decisions will be made at local authority levels and the construction of SWRO plants will be determined by regional circumstances (e.g. drought) as opposed to national water policy agenda. This paper explores the value of such a strategy by considering the drivers of SWRO in South Africa, the risk of unplanned large-scale SWRO implementation (with a focus on environmental impacts) and the initial steps that could be taken toward a Strategic Environmental Assessment for SWRO in South Africa.

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Systems view of integrated water quality monitoring within the requirements of the new national water policy in South Africa

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1998.0455 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 141-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Marjanovic ◽

M. Miloradov

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Quality ◽

Water Policy ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Water Quality Management ◽

Water Quality Monitoring ◽

Point Sources ◽

Quality Monitoring ◽

Efficient Manner ◽

National Water

The new National water policy will change the way water quality is managed in South Africa. The paper considers the water policy and the repercussions it will have for water quality monitoring in South Africa. Using the systems approach the paper discusses an integrated water quality monitoring system for ambient water quality and point and non point sources of aquatic pollution. The proposed methodology makes possible continuos assessment of water quality in an efficient manner so as to support water quality management in South Africa.

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Conceptual framework to ensure water security in Ukraine

Proceedings of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences ◽

10.5194/piahs-376-63-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 376 ◽

pp. 63-68

Author(s):

Yaroslav Gadzalo ◽

Mykhailo Romashchenko ◽

Mykhailo Yatsiuk

Keyword(s):

Global Climate Change ◽

Water Policy ◽

Global Climate ◽

Main Tool ◽

Water Security ◽

Basic Principles ◽

Integrated Water Management ◽

Strategic Objective ◽

Water Strategy ◽

National Water

Abstract. As a result of global climate change against the background of natural water supply deterioration and river water content reductions, nowadays Ukraine is facing the problem of environmental degradation of river basins. In light of this, we suggest that achieving an acceptable level of water security in Ukraine should be defined as the strategic objective of national water policy. The state of national water security should be evaluated by its progress in certain sectors. The basic principles of the new water policy of Ukraine are supposed to be represented in Water Strategy of Ukraine. Integrated water management by the basin principle should serve as the main tool for achieving the objectives of water security.

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Water Security and Judicial and Administrative Confusion in South Africa: The Trustees of the Time Being of the Lucas Scheepers Trust, IT 633/96 and Others v MEC for the Department of Water Affairs, Gauteng and Others Case nr 40514/2013

Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal/Potchefstroomse Elektroniese Regsblad ◽

10.17159/1727-3781/2017/v20i0a1686 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Ed Couzens ◽

Devarasi Maduramuthu ◽

Adrian Bellengère

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Use ◽

Water Rights ◽

Water Security ◽

Water Law ◽

Environment Protection ◽

High Court ◽

The North ◽

Relative Scarcity ◽

National Water

One of the gravest constraints which South Africa faces in its efforts to promote development and to lift much of its population out of poverty is the relative scarcity of its water. Significant changes were made to South Africa’s water law in the 1990s, especially with the promulgation of the National Water Act 36 of 1998. In terms of this Act a Water Tribunal was created which ought to have enhanced water security and to have provided a settled forum to adjudicate disputes and to assist in developing the jurisprudence of water law. Instead the Tribunal appears to have created almost as much confusion as clarity before it was dissolved in much uncertainty over whether it would continue in existence or not. A recent judgment in the Gauteng High Court (The Trustees of the Time Being of the Lucas Scheepers Trust, IT 633/96 and Others v MEC for the Department of Water Affairs, Gauteng and Others) has created uncertainty by departing from the precedent of a relatively recent judgment in the North Gauteng High Court (Escarpment Environment Protection Group and Wonderfontein Community Association v Department of Water Affairs and Xstrata Alloys (Pty) Ltd and The Water Tribunal). In the context of the uncertainty created by the falling into desuetude, at least between 2011 and 2016, of the Water Tribunal, and contradictory indications from National Government, litigants have been forced to seek other fora for remedies. On occasion, courts have been sympathetic and given sensitive judgments – on occasion they have not. Against this background of inconsistent jurisprudence, it is important that there be greater clarity of rights, duties and institutions, and that institutions become settled as soon as possible so that a consistent jurisprudence can begin to emerge in the water rights field. While the situation stabilizes, which it is hoped that it will soon begin to do, it is suggested that both courts and government act with circumspection in considering applications concerning water use rights; and be sensitive of the current uncertain circumstances when making decisions. The difficulties of ensuring water security and administrative fairness in South Africa demand nothing less.

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Conserving Rivers and Their Biodiversity in Tanzania

Water ◽

10.3390/w11122612 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2612 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nadia A. Seeteram ◽

Pendo T. Hyera ◽

Lulu T. Kaaya ◽

Makarius C. S. Lalika ◽

Elizabeth P. Anderson

Keyword(s):

Water Policy ◽

Human Population ◽

River Flow ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Water Security ◽

Environmental Flow ◽

United Republic ◽

United Republic Of Tanzania ◽

River Conservation ◽

National Water

The United Republic of Tanzania (Tanzania) is rich in freshwater resources and biodiversity. In this article, we highlight the importance of Tanzanian rivers and make a case for the conservation of the freshwater and terrestrial species that rely on these rivers. We provide an overview of current knowledge on Tanzanian rivers and discuss progress towards implementation of the National Water Policy (2002) and Water Management Act (2009), two legislative instruments that have motivated environmental flow assessments on at least six major rivers and offer legal backing for river conservation. We examine major challenges that pose significant threats to water security for river ecosystems and humans in Tanzania, among those: (1) human population growth, (2) agricultural expansion, (3) river flow alterations, (4) industrialization, (5) introduced species, and (6) climate change. We conclude by offering recommendations for future river conservation efforts in Tanzania.

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Water institutional reforms in South Africa

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2005.0007 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 107-123 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Gerhard R. Backeberg

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Policy ◽

Recent Literature ◽

User Participation ◽

Reform Process ◽

Organizational Changes ◽

Institutional Reforms ◽

Major Reform ◽

National Water

A comprehensive program of water institutional reforms has been implemented in South Africa since 1994. These reforms followed some major reform on the political and economic fronts. The institutional changes that occurred in the water sector covered the policy legal, and organizational dimensions of water allocation and management and affected all water sub-sectors including environmental allocations. The reform process has culminated in a new national water policy, a national water act and a national water resources strategy. Substantial organizational changes have also occurred with a focus on management decentralization, user participation and license-based allocation of water. This paper aims to provide an overview of these and other changes, especially from the perspective of irrigation and agriculture. It also attempts to explain the emergence and implementation of the water institutional reforms process in the light of the results reported in recent literature on water institutional reforms. The paper provides evidence for the role of transaction cost and political economy considerations as well as the use of reform design and implementation principles such as institutional sequencing and reform timing.

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Examining the Impacts of Mega-Events on Urban Development Using Coupling Analysis: A Case Study of the Boao Forum for Asia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12020730 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 730

Author(s):

Biao He ◽

Lianxin Zhu ◽

Xiaomei Cai ◽

Jun (Justin) Li ◽

Hong Zhu

Keyword(s):

Urban Development ◽

Large Scale ◽

Coordinated Development ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Mega Events ◽

Strategic Approach ◽

Coupling System ◽

Theoretical Issues ◽

Coordination Degree

Mega-events, as a strategic approach taken by entrepreneurial governments, have the ability to transform the image of a city. This study explores mega-events and their relationship to urban development by developing a coupling coordination degree model and using the official statistics of Qionghai, China, from 2010 to 2015. The results of this study show that the dynamic of coordination between mega-events and urban development is a classical S-shaped growth curve. In the coupling system, this study also reveals that relevance index and the economy, as sub-indicators, make significant contributions to mega-events and urban development, respectively. Finally, the researchers concluded that the international large-scale events can significantly promote the urban development in host cities. This study reveals theoretical issues and practical implications for policy makers and event managers to achieve integrated and coordinated development between mega-events and urban development.

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Understanding household water-use behaviour in the city of Johannesburg, South Africa

Water Policy ◽

10.2166/wp.2021.157 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Genius Murwirapachena

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Use ◽

Water Consumption ◽

Demand Management ◽

Water Security ◽

Probit Regression ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Household Water ◽

Management Policies ◽

Efficient Water Use

Abstract Climate change, population growth and industrial activities continue to threaten water security, especially in the semi-arid regions. Demand management policies are essential in minimising the effects of acute water shortages. Such policies require information on household water consumption patterns and their behavioural practices. This study examines household water consumption behaviour and the adoption of water-efficient appliances in Johannesburg, South Africa. The study uses probit regression models to analyse survey data collected from 889 households during the period November 2017 to February 2018. Results show that while most households do not have water-efficient appliances installed in their homes, they do practise water-efficient behaviour. Older respondents as well as males and lower-income respondents are found to be more likely to practise efficient water-use behaviour. However, biographical variables do not generally influence the adoption of water-efficient appliances. These results are essential for policy-makers when formulating targeted water demand management policies. Thus, policy-makers should focus more on younger people, women and higher-income households when developing campaigns on efficient water-use behaviour.

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