Only 40% of all the available groundwater resources are developed in South Africa and the development of surface water are becoming more costly and challenging. The Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs acknowledge this and identified the need to increase the use of groundwater as one of the interventions to address the increasing water requirement of towns and communities.

As we look at the legislation set out in the driving policies and its guiding frameworks, the need for able institutions to implement strategies that promise and deliver social growth and development, are highlighted. It is only possible to define an 'able institution' through its ability to fulfil its function and enable stakeholders to be part of the decision-making process.

The paper provides an outline of the recently published National Groundwater Strategy and of the approach to its implementation. According to the National Water Resource Strategy, development of groundwater resources will be crucial for sustaining water security in the light of increasing water scarcity in South Africa.