Water is life. In South Africa it is a crucial element in the battle againste poverty, the cornerstone of prosperity, and a limiting factor to growth. As a fundamental and indispensable natural resource, no regional or national development plan can take shape without giving primary consideration to water.

Neither a reasonable standard of living, nor environmental diversity, can be sustained without water. South Africa's water resources are limited and, in global terms, scarce. The situation is worsened by population growth and the demands of a vibrant economy, and compounded by inequities in allocation largely on racaial grounds and inefficiencies in use. As a country we are approaching the full utilisation of our water.

The gravity of the situation needs to be recognised. We can no longer rely on developing yet another water source, our actions dominated by apparently simple but often misleading solutions. These will not contribute to solving the problems of the comming decades.

What we require now is a conscious and strategic change fo direction regardingthe use and conservation of the country's water. We should not hesitate to consider measures that may be contentious, and connot afford to procrastinate about changes that need to be made urgently.

We cannot afford the luxery of continuing to use water without considering its most beneficial use, or be sidetracked by taking short-term measures while a real crisis develops around us. Our water should be applied to best advantage to achieve the greatest overall benefit for the country in an environmentally sustainable manner.

This survey will assist us in planning a more rational and directed management approach to our water resources. It is the first step to a larger understanding of the value and role of water in our lives.

Let us actively direct our destiny now. We may not get another opportunity.