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WATER IS
EVERYBODY’S
BUSINESS
Public institutions form the
backbone of our water sector, from
catchment management agencies
who look after the resource base, to
municipal water service providers
who make sure that we receive water
in our taps and that our wastewater
is treated. However, every business
and household uses and impacts
water, and therefore water is
everybody’s business.
Currently, in the public sector, 13 water boards, two CMAs, the Water Research
Commission, 167 Water User Associations and the TransCaledon Tunnel Authority
report to the Minister of Water and Sanitation. These public institutions are
supported and serviced by a myriad of engineering, chemical and scientific
companies and organisations.
FIGURE 7.1: UPDATE ON PROGRESS TO ESTABLISH NINE CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AGENCIES
Source: Department of Water & Sanitation (February 2015)
FACTS
Functioning Catchment Management Agencies are critical
Functioning Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs) are critical for
the management of scarce water resources in South Africa, as Integrated
Water Resources Management is best carried out at a local, catchment scale. CMAs
are envisaged as the operational arm to implement water policy and legislation in
South Africa. There are currently two operational CMAs in South Africa, with the
remainder at varying levels of establishment. Although there has been significant
frustration regarding the slow development of CMAs across South Africa, the
staggering of CMA establishment has created the opportunity to fine-tune the
Water Facts & Futures: Rethinking South Africa’s Water Future | Page
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