The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is currently reviewing the NWRS as per the NWA. The DWS has to this day developed the draft NWRS-3 Version 2.6 and was approved by Cabinet for public consultation. The document has since been published in the Government Gazette on 29 July 2022 under Notice 47133 for public comments over a period of 90 days from the date of publication.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS) is currently the legal instrument for implementing or operationalising the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) and it is thus binding on all authorities and institutions implementing the Act. It is the primary mechanism to manage water across all sectors towards achieving national government’s development objectives. The NWRS-1 was published in 2004 and the second edition (NWRS-2) was published in 2013, and was the blueprint for water resources management in South Africa. The National Water Resource Strategy 3 builds on the National Water Resources Strategy editions 1 and 2, and the revision of the strategy, as prescribed in the NWA, has been undertaken with the purpose being to:

• Facilitate the proper management of the nation’s water resources.
• Provide a framework for the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of water resources for the country as a whole.
•  Provide a framework within which water will be managed at local, regional or catchment level, in defined water management areas.
• Provide a framework for strengthening the regulation of the water and sanitation sector
• Provide information about all aspects of water resource management.
• Identify water-related development opportunities and constraints.
• Provide opportunities for the implementation of innovative technologies and solutions.

The purpose of the third edition of the National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS-3) is to ensure the protection and management of water resources to enable equitable and sustainable access to water and sanitation services in support of socio-economic growth and development for the well-being of current and future generations in South Africa. The NWRS-3 is a strategy for all sectors and stakeholders who use and impact upon South Africa’s water resources and it responds to the NWA by outlining strategic objectives and actions which are then carried forward for resourcing and implementation in the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP).

As per the requirements in the National Water Act, the document can be accessed from the DWS website, www.dws.gov.za for a soft copy or a request can be sent for copies to be shred via email. Upon request, printed copies can also be found at the DWS offices. This comments register will serve as a depository for all comments received and will also indicate what action was or is to be taken based on each comment received for accountability and responsiveness purposes. Written comments can be sent via e-mail to Ms Mahadi Mofokeng on [email protected] or Mr Nhlakanipho Mkhize on [email protected].

Calling on all GWD members to comment as it is our responsibility to make submissions to ensure that the strategy considers the future role of groundwater in a balanced and considered way. Find attached the relevant documents.