Draft Status Quo Report for the Pixley Ka Seme ... - SRK Consulting

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Pixley Ka Seme Local Municipality EMF – Draft Status Quo Report Page 52
Table 4-1: Assets, opportunities and constraints/threats associated with surface and
groundwater
Asset Opportunity Constraint / Threat
The strong legislative and
framework is a powerful asset
for the sustainable
management of the water
resource in the PKSLM
Civil society individuals and
groupings eager for sound
management of the water
resource
Acceptable water quality from
the three WMAs of the
PKSLM. This water is of high
strategic importance (both
quantity and quality) for power
generation, irrigation and
other economic uses beyond
the WMAs both in South
The legislative framework sets in place the
opportunity for effective catchment
management structures including the
development of CMA and catchment
management strategy for the WMA. A
strong CMA will provide direction and focus
for towards Integrated Catchment
Management (ICM).
CMAs bring a catchment perspective to the
IDP spatial planning process coordinated by
Department of Planning and Local
Government in IDP forums and undertaken
by municipalities; align the licensing
process with the EIA process from a
catchment management perspective; work
with provincial government to draft an
Environmental Implementation Plan, as a
NEMA requirement.
There are numerous instruments for water
quality management, covering regulatory,
market-based, self-regulatory and civil
management approaches.
Non-compliance with authorisations and the
legislative framework can result in
successful prosecution, including through
the involvement of ‘Green & Blue
Scorpions’ where necessary. Use of the toll
free hotline – 0800 205 005 with supporting
information should be encouraged.
The surface- and groundwater monitoring
programme run by DWA, River Health and
Local Authorities are a critical component
for the management of the water resource
of the PKSLM, and can assist with the
identification of non-compliance.
Partnerships between government and
stakeholders who have an interest in a well
managed water resource, such as Rand
Water ecotourism initiatives, irrigation
boards and Water Use Areas, ESKOM, and
conservation groupings can be
strengthened.
Building of knowledge of the legislative
framework amongst local stakeholders, and
the channels through which they can
‘whistle-blow’ suspected transgressions can
assist authorities with taking action.
Active monitoring of the area will bring
about proactive identification of existing and
potential water pollution sources, the
implementation of pollution prevention,
effective containment, and treatment at
source.
The Usutu to Mhlatuze WMA is a net
exporter of water via transfer schemes. In
terms of the DWA raw water pricing policy,
this will provide the CMAs with the facility to
gain additional income for catchment
management.
Opportunities for the sustainable
Poor implementation of the legislative
framework, such as exceedances of
authorisations, poses a threat to achieving
and maintaining good water quality in the
PKSLM.
Impetus to implement and effectively run
CMAs.
There is insufficient on-the-ground law
enforcement capacity.
Insufficient coordination between local
municipalities, district municipality,
provincial authorities and national
authorities can hamper effective
management of the water environment.
Lack of active catchment/river forums in the
PKSLM.
Responsibility to neighbouring countries
and requirement to comply with associated
international obligations to ensure that they
receive water supply of sufficiently good
water quality and quantity.
Availability of water for activities including
forestry, agriculture and coal mining is a
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