National Water Resource Strategy 2 Portfolio Committee Hearings: Response to Submissions

1. National Water Resource Strategy 2 Portfolio Committee Hearings: Response to Submissions Fred van Zyl Department of Water Affairs November 2012

2. 1. Introductory Statement • The Department of Water Affairs appreciates and values the engagement and support of the Portfolio Committee towards the development of an effective and appropriate NWRS2 • The Department appreciates and welcomes the input and responses provided by the public and sector role-players • The Department is in the process of extended & extensive engagement with the presenters, institutions, sectors & role players • The Department is also conducting a series of consultations with sector stakeholder and all these comments will be assessed and reviewed • The public consultations will run up to 7 December 2012 and the aim is to finalise the NWRS by March 2013

3. Hearings a key part of a broader consultation process: • Public Consultation • National • Provincial • Theme and Sector Consultation • Various sectors • Civil Society • Theme workshops • Sector support team • Media & communication • Website, e-mails and written submissions

4. 2. General Comments & Overview • The submissions & presentations reflected a wide spectrum of aspects & issues regarding the draft strategy, varying from the inclusion of specific programmes to improved regulation, from specific water quality issues such as acid mine drainage and ‘fracking’ to the need to engage with sector strategies, from information requirements to policy debate, from style & format to institutional requirements • The comments are being considered • DWA has to consider and decide on how the comments will be incorporated into the NWRS2

5. General Comments & Overview (2) • There are diverse opinions on what the ‘strategy’ must include &/or provide, including some dissatisfaction on what is currently in the strategy • Most stakeholders commented on their own areas of interest and therefore comments are mostly theme or programme focussed with related expectations • In principle positive support & appreciation for the Strategy framework and associated strategies • DWA acknowledges some gaps in the strategy as well as the need to reorganise and provide more detail

6. Public response framework governance Submissions represented different themes and dimensions Few submissions focussed on outcomes and the total picture enabling outcome holistic outcome strategic spatial institutional outcome programmes outcome operational technical Use/impact sector outcome Submissions reflect different operating levels

7. Some Positive Responses • Major support for Core Strategies • Strong demand for effective water regulation • Demand to address functionality, operations & maintenance • Need to address mobilization of resources • Need to ensure implementation tools & instruments (sub strategies, legislation, etc) • Link with water services • Align with Sector goals & strategies • Provide detailed objectives, targets and responsibilities

8. Specific comments on strategy approach • Only focus on NWRS1 framework and content! • Include assessment on limited implementation of NWRS1 • Too many strategies • Exclude policy issues and implications • Only focus on operational issues and actions • Proposal to exclude some concepts: smart management, water footprint, value chain, source to tap

9. 3. Response framework • Definition & understanding of “strategy” • Scope, contents and format: • Legal requirement • NWRS1 framework vs NWRS2 drivers • Policy or no policy • ‘new’ concepts: yes or no? • Too much, too little • NWRS 1 analysis & strategic assessment • Format , structure & style

10. Response framework • Specific Issues • Improved governance: regulation, law reform • Sector alignment & involvement • New proposals & theme gaps: urban strategies, rural strategy, AMD, fracking, off-setting • Institutional: CMAs, forums, Infrastructure agency, water tribunal • Operational issues • Information • Alignment & integration with Water Services

11. 3.1 Definition and understanding of ‘strategy’ & associated detail • Different expectations: from high level strategic direction to programmes, and associated activities with detailed implementation plans • Extensive detail required in terms of NW Act (detailed information, plans, guidelines, procedures for each action) • Different levels of detail in terms of macro and core strategies vs operational strategies • Issue of availability of extended theme strategies

12. 3.2. Scope Contents and Format(1) Legal requirements • Requirement 1: Strategy must set out strategies to achieve the purpose of the Act: • ‘Purpose’ clearly described in Act but no associated strategies for key Outcomes in NWRS1 (except ecosystem protection, disaster management & international) – now included, plus sector strategy alignment • Information requirement: Challenges experienced to provide detailed water accounts per WMA: detail not available, but advanced information and associated strategies reflected in Reconciliation Studies which forms part of NWRS2. Presentation of water balances problematic in terms of reality of sector & user misinterpretation • Legal ‘status’: Format & style of document to be addressed

13. Focus on purpose(as per NW Act)Water resources must be: Basic human needs Equitable access protected Redressing the past used Efficient, sustainable use To support (achieve) developed Social & economic development conserved protecting aquatic ecosystems managed Prevent pollution & degradation controlled Disasters, dam safety, international, growth valued

14. (2) Difference between and rationale for change between NWRS1 and NWRS2

15. (3) Policy or No Policy • NPC recommended that NWRS2 must only be an operational strategy of existing policy and should not include any new policy • Response: present & future situation and requirements demand a rethink of existing water management model and associated strategies. DWA and many other stakeholders such as BUSA, Energy, Environment, Agriculture, Civil Society supports the inclusion of key and critical policy issues

16. International Assessments (2012)WWF, Rio+20, water security Workshop Threats Reasons Intervention Central role of water Water quality Ineffectual leadership Align with social, economic goals Fresh water security Financial resources State risks Technical ability Smart , holistic culture Management ability Collective sector effort ecosystems Water footprint Historical experience insufficient funding Concepts aligned with international framework

17. (4) Include ‘new’ concepts: yes or no? • 2 groups objected to the introduction of new concepts such as water footprint, source to tap, core strategies. • Majority of other groups/ institutions are strong supporters thereof • Response : maintain concepts but provide more detail and actions

18. (5) NWRS2 includes too much, too little • Recommendations received to only focus on a few areas • Statements made that DWA is too optimistic and must be more realistic • Response: • Recommendations in principle valid • However, some strategies are not negotiable and must be implemented • When combining all input, there is an increase in number of proposed strategies • All strategies are in principle valid and will be addressed by different managers and institutions

19. 3.3 NWRS 1 analysis & strategic assessment • Proposal to include a section on strategic analysis of NWRS1 implementation • Response: Strategic assessment was done, not only in terms of NWRS1, but also in terms of the water challenges experienced • Instead of reflecting the findings in a defensive manner, it was introduced as critical core and enabling strategies • Assessment process and findings will be included in preamble

20. Strategic Assessment 1 • Failure to implement • Lack of ownership : < 2 - 4% awareness • Product v/s ‘live strategy’ approach • Inadequate commitment, will, leadership • Why water concerns & challenges: • Status of water: water not valued, poor culture and attitude • Incomplete and inadequate governance and management approach/ model (‘smart thinking’) • Inadequate leadership and commitment • Inadequate integrated planning & alignment • Lack of sector ownership and accountability

21. Strategic Assessment cont • Role & position of Water • Water management not aligned with sector macro strategies and vice versa • Water not central to planning decision making • Specific concerns: • Skills, capacity • Funding • Business model • Information, knowledge • Insight & understanding (no water concerns)

22. Strategic Assessment 2: Dealing with the future • Reality • Water @ the cross roads • Dealing with the real & reality challenges • Issue of ‘insight vs sight’ • Redesigning the governance model

23. 3.4 Format , structure & style • Need to improve style, align sub strategies with core strategies • Focus on and include implementation plan with clear targets, detail actions, timeframes, responsibilities. • Need to translate in all languages ( user friendly) • Response: Agree. Implementation plan will be submitted with the NWRS2 . The document will be translated after gazetting. Summarised, user friendly interim translations are under development.

24. 3.5 Response to specific issues raised during the Public Hearings

25. Governance and Leadership (1)

26. Governance and Leadership (2)overnance and Leadership

27. Governance and Leadership (3)overnance and Leadership

28. Management of water resourcesovernance and Leadership

29. Technical matters

30. Operational matters

31. Cross cutting issues

32. 4 Implementation Framework And Governance • Clear implementation framework will be developed • Outcome based • Timeframes • Prioritizing • Business alignment • Aligned to DWA performance plan and strategy • Strengthen partnerships with existing Government structures and Departments • Sector partnerships and commitments

33. 5 DWA Proposed Process to assess and consider comments • 90 days consultation period ends on 7 December 2012 • DWA will then enter a phase during which the comments and inputs will be assessed, reviewed and incorporated as relevant and appropriate – mid-December 2012 to January/Februay 2013 • In order to ensure transparency, an evidence based approach and buy in, DWA will set up internal and external review panels: • Sector Specialists • DWA Strategy Champions • Senior Management • Minister

34. DWA Proposed Process to assess and consider comments • Timeframes • Redraft – March 2013 • Minister’s endorsement of redrafted NWRS2 - end March 2013 • State of the Nation Address – include NWRS2- February 2013 • Cluster approvals – early 2013 • Cabinet approval – April 2013 • Parliament approval – subject to and following Cabinet approval • Gazette by the Minister – mid 2013

35. “The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will”Vincent T. Lombardi

36. Thank You