Water: Inland management

Everyone has the right to have the environment protected through reasonable legislative and other measures that promote conservation (The Constitution).

A national water resources strategy will include the framework for the protection, use, development, conservation ect. for the country as a whole. The strategy among other things must set out principles relating to water conservation. (Chapter 2; National Water Act)

A catchment management strategy developed must set principles for allocating water to existing and prospective users, taking into account all matters relevant to, amongst others, the protection and conservation of water resources.

The protection of water resources (Chapter 3; National Water Act) is fundamentally related to their use, development, management and control. Measures to ensure the comprehensive protection of all water resources, include a classification system of all water resources (section 12); classification of water resources and resource quality objectives (sections 13-15); the Reserve (sections 16-18); pollution prevention (section 19) and emergency incidents (section 20).

The regulations on water use includes the conservation and protection of water resources, instream and riparian habitat, the sustainable use of water and the prevention of wasteful water use (General Principles; National Water Act).

Licences for the use of water can be applied for. The responsible authority may conduct its own investigation on the likely effect of the proposed licence on the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of the water resource (Individual applications for licences and Compulsory licences for water use of a specific resource; National Water Act).

Water charges are used as a means to encourage reduction in water waste and provide incentives for effective and efficient water use. The pricing strategy may contain a strategy for funding, amongst others, water conservation and water resource protection.

It is important that our natural resource bases be protected from degradation (White Paper on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of South Africa's Biological Diversity). Biological resources are required to meet basic human needs and should therefore be protected and maintained.

    Existing arrangements to conserve the indigenous biodiversity will be maintained and strengthened. Government will promote and support measures to manage conflict arising from the conservation and use of resources.
    A representative and effective system of protected areas and efficient management thereof will be established. Wetland conservation in South Africa is extremely poor.
    An RDP project is underway to clear invasive alien vegetation as part of a water conservation campaign.

One of the main objectives of the Water Services Act is the promotion of effective water resource management and conservation. As far as industrial water use is concerned, all the laws relating to the use and conservation of water and water resources is compliable.

The National Forests Act includes principles to guide decisions affecting forests with regard to the conservation of biological diversity, ecosystems, habitats and natural resources, especially soil and water. (NFA)

The minister may determine the policy for environmental conservation regarding the protection of ecological processes, natural systems ect; the promotion of sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems and the effective application and re-use of natural resources; and the protection of the environment, amongst others, against disturbance, deterioration, poisoning and pollution as a result of processes, human activities ect. (Environmental Conservation Act; section 2)

The natural environment should be protected and any area may be declared a protected natural environment if it will promote the preservation of specific ecological processes, natural systems ect. (Environmental Conservation Act; section 16)

A defined area may be declared to be a special nature reserve for the purpose of the protection of the environment and of water under the exclusive control of the State or of which the State is the owner (Environmental Conservation Act; section 18).

The conservation of soil, water resources and vegetation is promoted in the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act. Management plans to eradicate weeds and invader plants must be established to benefit the integrity of indigenous life.