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WATER ALLOCATION REFORM – WESTERN CAPE PERSPECTIVE. ABDULLA PARKER (Catchment Manager) 18 October 2005. WESTERN CAPE REGION WATER MANAGEMENT AREAS. OLIFANTS - DOORN. BERG. BREEDE. GOURITZ. HOW WATER ALLOCATION REFORM IS IMPLEMENTED IN THE WESTERN CAPE. 1. Licence applications
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WATER ALLOCATION REFORM – WESTERN CAPE PERSPECTIVE ABDULLA PARKER (Catchment Manager) 18 October 2005
WESTERN CAPE REGION WATER MANAGEMENT AREAS OLIFANTS - DOORN BERG BREEDE GOURITZ
HOW WATER ALLOCATION REFORM IS IMPLEMENTED IN THE WESTERN CAPE 1. Licence applications 2. Financial assistance 3. Development of new schemes 4. Voluntary re-allocation 5. Purchase of water rights by Implementing Agents 6. Transformation of Water Management Institutions 7. Verification of water allocation 8. Addressing illegal water use
1. LICENCE APPLICATIONS • Section 27 b(ii) of NWA – need to redress the imbalances of the past • Licence applications not approved if there is no benefit for HDIs • Examples of applications • Lutouw equity project (close to Lutzville)
2. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE • Section 61 of National Water • HDIs can qualify for subsidy to purchase or build bulk water infrastructure (Maximum subsidy: R15 000/Ha) • To purchase water use rights. Maximum subsidy is R 7500/Ha • Co-operate with other Departments and Organisations to maximise assistance • Example – Ceres Koekedouw scheme, Lutouw
3. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW SCHEMES • Development of new schemes to utilise limited surplus water • Ensure that HDI also benefit from the new developments • Examples: • Raising of Clanwilliam Dam • Osplaas Dam in Hex Valley
4. VOLUNTARILY RE-ALOCATION • Water User Association members reduce water allocations voluntarily • Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs • Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs • Example: Central Breede WUA (proposed 2,5%)
5. PURCHASE OF WATER RIGHTS BY IMPLEMENTING AGENTS • Water User Association purchases water rights • Transfer water rights to a property for use by HDIs • Example is LORWUA that has purchased 11 Ha of water rights • Agreement with land owners for the re-allocation of the water rights to HDIs
6. TRANSFORMATION OF WATER MANAGEMENT INSTITUTIONS • All IBs being transformed into WUAs • Ensure that HDIs and Emerging Farmers are part of the management committees • Empowerment of Emerging Farmers through capacity building and access to financial support • 40 Irrigation Boards already transformed into 30 WUAs • Examples: • Lower Olifants River WUA • Central Breede (amalgamation of 3 Irrigation Boards)
7. VERIFICATION OF WATER ALLOCATION • Verification of existing lawful use in specific areas to ensure more accurate information on water use • Amendments to registered water use • Evaluate water availability and targets for re-allocation • Example: Jan Dissels River project Further priorities for larger catchments envisaged (Olifants/Doorn and Berg WMA)
8. ADDRESSING ILEGAL WATER USE • Investigate possible illegal water uses • Follow up with legal procedures to ensure that illegal activity is addressed • Examples: • Hol River illegal dams • Stream flow reduction (trees removed)
Water Use VerificationJan Dissels River Pilot Project Defining the need: • Water to meet the Reserve: Human and Ecological Reserve. • Conflict over water: long history. • Water to correct past imbalances (Rural Poor & Resource Poor Irrigation Farmers) • Addressing possible over-allocation & unlawful use. • Deal with new license applications. • Precursor to compulsory licensing?
Water Use VerificationJan Dissels River Pilot Project Methodology: • Participative: planning with water users, RPF groups, local authorities & CBO’s • Validate Existing Lawful Use: Qualifying Period, Registered Use & Current Use. • Balance available water with needs: Human, Ecological, Existing, Lawful Use & Redress • Verify Water Use: Water user applies to DWAF.
Thank you, Inkosi, Dankie QUESTIONS WELCOME