Author :
W. D. Enright (enright@absamail.co.za.)
Specialist Chief Engineer, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, P Bag X16, SANLAMHOF 7532 South Africa
Brief Synopsis :
South Africa is largely a semi-arid country with a highly varied climate. Surface water resources are already well developed although the same attention was not always bestowed on groundwater and the aquatic needs of the environment. The distribution of South Africa's water to its cumulative population is even more unequal when measured in terms of class, race and gender. The principles of efficiency, sustainability and equity are underlying the implementation of water resource management. The implementation of these are now a reality and water users need to be aware of the challenges for future planning of water use – also in the face of climate change consequences.
The political transition in South Africa created a unique opportunity with the required political will to effect new legislation to address integration of water resource management in terms of quantity and quality, surface and ground water, with a strong emphasis on equity, efficiency and sustainability. There is thus a challenge in South Africa to ensure that water is available for meeting both economic and social needs whilst ensuring that the ecological functioning of the resource is protected to ensure sustainability.
Download full article here.
W. D. Enright (enright@absamail.co.za.)
Specialist Chief Engineer, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, P Bag X16, SANLAMHOF 7532 South Africa
Brief Synopsis :
South Africa is largely a semi-arid country with a highly varied climate. Surface water resources are already well developed although the same attention was not always bestowed on groundwater and the aquatic needs of the environment. The distribution of South Africa's water to its cumulative population is even more unequal when measured in terms of class, race and gender. The principles of efficiency, sustainability and equity are underlying the implementation of water resource management. The implementation of these are now a reality and water users need to be aware of the challenges for future planning of water use – also in the face of climate change consequences.
The political transition in South Africa created a unique opportunity with the required political will to effect new legislation to address integration of water resource management in terms of quantity and quality, surface and ground water, with a strong emphasis on equity, efficiency and sustainability. There is thus a challenge in South Africa to ensure that water is available for meeting both economic and social needs whilst ensuring that the ecological functioning of the resource is protected to ensure sustainability.
Download full article here.
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