South Africa is still facing inequities in access to water for productive purposes. Equitable access to water, or to the benefits derived from using water, is critical to eradicating poverty and promoting economic growth. Water Allocation Reform(WAR) is the Department's key programme for redressing these inequities. The programme aims to:

• Take steps to meet the water needs of HDIs and the poor;

• Ensure participation by these groups in water resource management;

• Promote the sustainable use of water resources; and

• Promote the beneficial and efficient use of water in the public interest.

Water Allocation Reform includes a number of actions including the provision of financial support to resource poor farmers [PDF - 206 KB], compulsory licensing to support the equitable (re)allocation of water in any catchment, and the processing of licences and/or General Authorisations to support the uptake of water by historically disadvantaged people.

This website provides more information on how this will be done.