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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