Expect clampdown on illegal water use

Agriculture won’t get more water from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). In fact, DWAF will only become stricter about the sector’s water use. This is according to DWAF’s Framework on Water for Growth and Development, launched at the start of water week at the beginning of March.
The framework seeks to ensure there’s enough water to support South Africa’s path to growth and development. “Agriculture uses the most water, 62% of its allocation, so we have to work with the sector to achieve targets for water saving,” said DWAF director-general Pam Yako at the launch of the framework.
The framework identifies the challenge in agriculture as producing “more food with the same or less water, so enhancing the productivity of water”. To achieve this it recommends enforcing compliance with measured and timed irrigation use.
“We’re going to have to talk seriously to agriculture about inefficient use of water,” said DWAF minister Lindiwe Hendricks. “We’ll also take serious action to curb illegal abstraction of water in agriculture as well as industry.” According to DWAF this includes plans to start clamping down on illegal water use from the Vaal River within the next month or two. – Drieka Burger