Framework For Local Government To Implement Integrated Water Resource Management Linked To Water Service Delivery
Framework For Local Government To Implement Integrated Water Resource Management Linked To Water Service Delivery
Framework For Local Government To Implement Integrated Water Resource Management Linked To Water Service Delivery
Abstract
The Water Services Act (No. 8 of 1997) of South Africa states that water service delivery is the responsibility of local
government as Water Services Authorities. The principal legal responsibility is to complete a Water Services Development
Plan (WSDP) every 5 years with annual review. The WSDP encapsulates all the responsibilities and tasks required in water
service delivery. However, it does not spell out local government’s role in water resource protection or its responsibilities as
far as integrated water resource management is concerned. It is well known in South Africa that there is a challenging level
of inadequate capacity in technical and administrative skills in local government to adequately fulfil water service delivery.
This paper highlights the consequences of this incapacity for municipalities and their difficulties in fulfilling their responsi-
bilities as service providers. A framework is provided within which improvements can be brought about, with guidance on
how to engage in the practice of integrated water resource management (IWRM) in the context of the legal framework for
water services. The additional tasks and changes required to practise IWRM are set in the context of the WSDP. The frame-
work provides a guide for a municipality to first accomplish an adequate WSDP, and then to gradually implement IWRM.
A discussion on the skills needed to accomplish, firstly, a comprehensive WSDP, and secondly, IWRM, is included.
Keywords: local government mandates, water service delivery, water service planning, integrated water
resource management, skills and training needs, water resource management, solid waste management
TABLE 1
Links between the tasks as set out in the WSDP and the Integrated Water Resource Management Plan
(IWRMP) as suggested by Burke (2007)
The numbering systems of the 2 original documents – i.e. the WSDP and IWRMP, have both been retained, leaving the numbering sequence in Table 1 uncon-
ventional but allowing cross-reference to the original documents.
The business elements and tasks of the WSDP v.12 are in the left column and the related tasks of Burke’s IWRMP on the right. While the wording in the IWRMP
is at times slightly different, the content and message are the same. All new tasks to fulfil IWRM criteria are highlighted in red. Red borders around cells indicate
tasks that need more information, or that have been added to the existing business areas of the WSDP. Tasks referring to the Integrated Waste Management
Plans are coded brown (DWAF, 2004b).
WSDP business elements and tasks IWRMP tasks
SECTION E. IDP and WSDP Goals and Integration 8.1 Introduction to local authority IWRM objectives
E1. IDP priority issues related to water service
E3. IWRM sub-goals
Water resource protection & WC/DM
SECTION D. Background to the area 8.2 Local authority details
D1. Location, maps, etc. 8.3.2. Locality plan – organogram & contact details person/ champion/
coordinator for IWRM
D2. Maps and descriptions of water services authority, settlements,
infrastructure for public and economic activities
D3. Physical perspective: topography, climate, natural environmental 8.3.1 Baseline information – topography, climate, GIS maps and
status demographics.
8.5.2. Dry weather and peak flows (WR90 or WR2005) location of flood
lines for 1:50 and 1:100 year storm events (WR2005 = water resource fact
books and maps from DWA)
8.5.2. Hydrology: flow data, mean annual runoff (WR90)
8.5.1. Description of catchment(s), water management area and resource
class; overview of geology of area
8.3.4. Regional (CMA) perspective
F1. Socio-economic profile (Demographics, employment and 8.2. & 8.3.3 Demographics
income)
Current consumer profile, including wet and dry industrial consumer
units and commercial units
Present and projected population
Demographic trends, age and gender profiles
Employment profile and household income 8.10. Work creation and poverty alleviation
Economic profiles and trends 8.9.3. Risks to human health
Health-service profile
Water-borne diseases and sanitation access
F2. Service level profile 8.7 Water use and management
(targets set must align with IDP)
Residential consumer units for water and sanitation according to 8.7.2 Surface water users (sectors, etc.)
service levels 8.6.4 Groundwater users
Sanitation systems 8.7.4 Sewage
Greywater management 8.7.6 Greywater (urban runoff from under-serviced/unserviced area)
Pit emptying and sludge disposal 8.10.7 Pollution control
Public institutions, dry industries 8.8.2 Industrial, any other waste (sanitation)
Wet industries’ water needs, effluent permits and sanitation needs 8.8.1 Waste management
Raw water consumers 8.7.10 Recreational water uses
8.7.5 Stormwater management
Indigent policy, tariff structures, procurement policy, credit and debt 8.12.2 Operation and management procedures, including staff training
collection policy; performance management system 8.12.5 Partnerships with residents, NGOs and business
Representation on CMA or Water Board 8.10.2 Catchment management
8.10.4 & 6 Environmental management i.e. land, river and wetland man-
agement strategies
Includes operational strategies, stakeholder participation 8.10.7 Pollution control strategy
8.12.1 Project planning, implementation & management
8.9.4 Key performance areas (KPAs), key performance indicators (KPIs)
and monitoring plan
8.12.7 Records of correspondence with other regulatory authorities
8.12.9 Auditing and reporting (internal and external auditing)
F8.Consumer service profile 8.12.4 & 6 Communication, including education and awareness (service
and pollution control)
Complaints and breaks register and follow-up record for urban and 8. Recording and reporting of incidents
rural water, and sanitation problems. 8.10.9. Emergencies and contingencies
Assurance of supply, supply interruptions and what type of water 8.10.9 Emergencies and contingencies
quality for urban and rural.
Education and awareness and public participation for water supply 8.11.4 Work creation and poverty alleviation
and sanitation 8.10.9 Community/stakeholder participation strategies
Billing systems and access to pay points 8. Records of partnerships with residents, NGOs, business, etc.
Are by-laws in place?
The listed documents should be in the council libraries and This research was funded by the Water Research Commission,
offices of all officials working in environmentally-linked direc- Pretoria, South Africa, under the programme framework for
torates in local government: Local Government to Implement Integrated Water Resource
• The Water Services Development Plan (Version 12) (www. Management Linked to Water Service Delivery (Project
DWA.gov.za//dir_ws/WSDP/?curRes=1024) K5/16881). We wish to thank the Water Research Commission
• Self Appraisal Needs Analyses for Municipal Water and Steering Committee for guidance, especially J Burke. Thanks
Sanitation Services Delivery. Also available from the above to D Anderson of Makana Municipality for cooperation.
website.
• Burke J (2007) Integrated Water Resources Management References
Plan Guidelines for Local Authorities. WRC Report No
TT304/07. Water Research Commission, Pretoria, South BURKE J (2007) Integrated Water Resource Management Plan
Africa (www.wrc.org.za). Guidelines for Local Authorities. Water Research Commission
• Guidelines for Catchment Management Strategies (2007) Report No. TT 304/07. Water Research Commission, Pretoria,
South Africa.
Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Pretoria, South
CSIR (2008) The River Health Programme. URL: http://www.csir.
Africa. (www.DWA.gov.za//other/documents/). co.za/rhp/ (Accessed 4 February 2008).
DEVELOPMENT FACILITATION ACT (1995) Development
Websites that can provide useful resources for officials and Facilitation Act (Act No. 67 of 1995), Republic of South Africa.
councillors alike include: URL: http://www.info.gov.za (Accessed 25 February 2007).
• www.iclei-europe.org/ DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT (2002) Disaster Management Act
• www.doe.gov.za (Act No, 57 of 2002), Republic of South Africa. URL: http://www.
• www.weather-sa.gov.za dms-online.co.za/docs/ (Accessed June 2008).
DPLG (DEPARTMENT OF PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL
• www.dplg.gov.za
GOVERNMENT, SOUTH AFRICA) (1998) White Paper on Local