QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

South Africa is a semi-arid country. It is predicted that in future increasing demands will be made on our dwindling water resources. It is therefore imperative that all water use sectors use water optimally and efficiently to ensure that the needs of both the environment and people are satisfied for now and future generations.

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What are the benefits to be derived from developing and implementing water management plans by the irrigators?

The National Water Act contains fundamental reforms with regard to equitable access to water resources by all South African citizens and sustainability of our scarce natural resources. The latter objectives if implemented by all water use sectors, will ensure that water resources are correctly managed to the benefit of all.

What are the requirements?

Water User Associations must, by law, submit a Water Management Plan to Catchment Management Agency or to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

The water management plans must contain:

• Current water supply infrastructure management practices
• Measures for the use and management of irrigation water, based on the monthly and annual irrigation demand and calculated in terms of the water requirements of various crops
• A water balance - the annual water input and output as well as the volumes of water used -
• The identification and institution of primary and secondary best management practices (BMPs). These BMPs will form the basis of the water management plan for water conservation and demand management

The aims of the water management plans are to ensure that:

• The scarce water resources are optimally managed at the local level by water user associations and other water services providers and authorities
• Regular preventative maintenance of the distribution systems to limit water losses and is rigorously implemented
• Water allocations adopted will ensure equitable access to the scarce water resources by all. In particular the needs of the historically disadvantaged individuals (blacks and women) are met
• The tariffs applied by water user associations, water management institutions and water management authorities in accordance with the national pricing strategy will bring about optimal use of the available water resources. The tariffs applied must not disadvantage the emerging farmers who may be lacking financial resources while advantaging established commercial farmers
• Water user associations implement accurate and reliable water accounting and auditing systems to curtail water losses and implement appropriate remedial actions where problems are experienced along the water distribution systems
• Appropriate benchmarks are established and adopted for the distribution as well as on-farm irrigation practices to improve productivity and optimal water use "more crop per drop" -
• General public awareness of water issues and the need to protect and conserve the natural resources for now and future generations

What changes will farmers have to make in order for them to contribute positively to the water scarcity in the country?

Farmers will be encouraged to:

• Plant crops which deliver the optimum yield per unit of water used
• Continually improve farm practices with regard to the use of fertilisers, pesticides and soil management in order to prevent:
  a. soil erosion
  b. a build up of salinity
  c. pollution of surface and ground water
  d. degradation of the environment
• Apply effective irrigation scheduling
• Use water conserving irrigation systems and technology available on the market that is affordable to the farmers
• Effectively maintain all irrigation equipment
• Effectively manage drainage, in order to: a. minimise return flows by applying enough water to crops based on their water requirements

  WUAs will be required to provide essential information about on-farm irrigation practices to promote more efficient water use and BMPs.

  Farm workers who use the irrigation systems will play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of a water management plan. Water user associations and farm owners will be expected to empower their workers with necessary skills in order to make their water management plans work.

Duration of case studies and implementation of lessons learned.

Pilot studies are currently being conducted in selected WUAs over a three-year period. The commencement and completion dates are 1st January 2001 to 1st January 2004. Outcomes from the case studies will be used to implement the development of water management plans Nationally.

For more information on water conservation and water demand management measures in the agricultural sector contact:

MR M E MOKWENA
DEPARTMENT OF WATER AFFAIRS AND FORESTRY
DIRECTORATE WATER CONSERVATION
PRIVATE BAG X 313,PRETORIA, 0001
TEL: (012) 336 8818 OR (012) 336 8440
FAX: (012) 336 8086
E-MAIL: QTG@DWAF.GOV.ZA