Approximately 15 percent of South Africa's bulk water supply is from groundwater
resources and about 400 small communities in the country get their domestic water
supply from groundwater. It is estimated that these figures will grow by 50 to 80
percent in future because government is placing a stronger focus on providing for
the basic needs of communities.
The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) in South Africa has relied extensively
on groundwater in meeting the needs of nearly 12 million citizens who were adjudged
to be without adequate water supply sources.
If increased investments in the utilisation of groundwater are not well developed,
projects could fail very soon afterwards. The Government is therefore promoting
the need for sustainable development of resources so that they can continue to be
of value to generations yet unborn.
The assistance from the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD) comes
as part of a package of programmes agreed to by both the Governments of the Kingdom
of Norway and that of the Republic of South Africa in June 1997. The agreement emphasises
the promotion of the Reconstruction and Development Programme of the Republic of
South Africa.
The Programme on the Sustainable Development of Groundwater Sources under the Community
Water Supply and Sanitation Programme in South Africa is a collaborative venture
between the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research, the Council for Geoscience, Mvula Trust and the Geological Survey of Norway.
The Geological Survey of Norway brings with it skills in groundwater, used all over Africa for NORAD funded programmes.
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