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The study is comprised of two parallel but integrated processes namely; a technical process and a stakeholder engagement process (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Processes of the study
 The Technical Process
The technical aspect of the project is divided into three phases (see figure 3). The first, being the inception phase entails reviewing and summarising information from previous studies. Its deliverable is an Inception Report and Literature Review Report.
Phase two comprises the development of the first stage water reconciliation strategy. This involves deriving water requirements and return flow scenarios, assessment of intervention options and compiling the strategy options available. The deliverable for this phase is a Reconciliation Strategy covering the period up to the year 2030 which contains medium term measures that are certain and broad long term interventions.
The third phase involves refining the long term water requirement and return flow scenarios, assessing the sequence of intervention options required to cover the full term planning horizon, documenting the reconciliation process, whilst considering other issues and concerns of note. During this phase, the second stage Reconciliation Strategy will be developed by improving the confidence of the long term proposed solutions.
This water reconciliation strategy will form an integral component of DWAF’s, Water Services Authorities’ and Providers’ planning for future water resources development for the Mgeni and North Coast Systems. According to Niel van Wyk, DWAF’s Project Manager on this study, this reconciliation strategy will need to respond to actual water requirement scenarios. It is not a master plan but will provide guidance for future water use in an incremental way. He said it is not DWAF’s intention to re-invent the wheel but rather to coordinate all available information in order to deal with the water requirements of the KZN coastal metropolitan area in a structure manner.
Figure 3: Different phases of the Technical Process
The Stakeholder Engagement Process
The stakeholder engagement process is introduced in order to raise awareness and to involve stakeholders in the study. This is in line with the National Water Act (Act No 36 of 1998) which also requires consultation with ‘society at large’ in the progressive development of a national water resource strategy, of which this Water Reconciliation Strategy forms part. For the purpose of this project the stakeholder engagement process will involve three integrated components.
The first component is that of establishing a Study Steering Committee (SSC). This will be done at the first public meeting where stakeholders representing various sectors of society in the study area will be afforded an opportunity to nominate representatives for their sector to represent them on the Committee. The Study Steering Committee is a voluntary body operating at a strategic level. The committee will meet with the technical team twice a year to ensure that the technical aspect of the study is transparent, open and consultative and that cooperative governance is embraced.
The second level of stakeholder engagement is where the general public will be invited to review the First and Second Stage Reconciliation Strategies. Public meetings will be held once a year, at each phase of the project.
The third component is awareness creation in the form of newsletters, media releases, radio and newspaper advertisements and information on DWAF’s website. |
