Purpose of the National Water Act
The purpose of this Act is to ensure that the nation’s
water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and
controlled in ways which take into account amongst other factors -
meeting the basic human needs of present and future
generations;
promoting equitable access to water;
redressing the results of past racial and gender
discrimination;
promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of
water in the public interest;
facilitating social and economic development;
providing for growing demand for water use;
protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their
biological diversity;
reducing and preventing pollution and degradation of water
resources
meeting international obligations;
promoting dam safety;
managing floods and droughts.
