Catchment Management Strategies

In the process of developing the catchment management strategy (Section 8-11), a catchment management agency must seek co-operation and agreement on water-related matters from various stakeholders and interested people. A strategy developed must set principles for allocating water to existing and prospective users, taking into account all matters relevant to the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources.

A catchment management strategy must:

    take into account the class of water resources and resource quality objectives, the requirement of the Reserve and, where applicable, international obligations
    not be in conflict with the national water resource strategy
    take into account the geology, demography, land use, climate, vegetation and waterworks within its water management area
    take account of any relevant national or regional plans prepared in terms of any other law, including any development plan adopted in terms of the Water Service Act, 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997)
    enable public participation in managing the water resources within its water management area
    take into account the needs and expectations of existing and potential water users
    set out the institution to be established.