Development of an Aquifer Management Plan for the Polokwane Urban Complex

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act 36 of 1998) requires water resources management be driven at a local level, in keeping with the local nature of water systems. Polokwane Local Municipality (PLM) as the Water Services Authority, is responsible for supplying adequate domestic water to 16 Rural Water Schemes and Groundwater Schemes. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Masterplan highlighted that the DWS, Catchment Management Agencies and Water Boards need to develop wellfields and management plans to ensure sustainable use of aquifers. The Aquifer Management Plan (AMP) for the Polokwane Urban Complex (PUC) within the Olifants-Sand Water Supply Scheme was developed with an overall aim of achieving integrated and adaptive management of the aquifer. This is to assist in confronting climate change challenges and water security at local level. The AMP forms part of the Integrated Water Resource Management and should be seen in the context of other related guidelines and activities, such as catchment management, water conservation and demand management, waste water management, and water resource planning and management. Extensive consultation with PLM and various other stakeholders as part of the Aquifer Management Plan was meant to foster a groundwater management relationship between the Department, PLM and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for implementation of the Aquifer Management Plan. A set of goals, targets and actions were developed for the Aquifer Management Plan These goals and targets serve as steps that allow for ‘zooming’ into the more specific actions. During consultations with the PLM, relevant Professional Service Providers, the DWS Limpopo Provincial Office and numerous other stakeholders, 75 actions within the 10 goals were identified. Ultimately, an Aquifer Management Plan had to identify actions that can improve groundwater resource management within the Polokwane Urban Complex and develop a supportive cross-institutional relationship in which to pursue them.