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NATIONAL OFFICE - PRETORIA
Geohydrological Monitoring and Assessment (GMA)
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The on-going assessment of groundwater resources
in terms of occurrence, quantification, quality, development potential and protection
requirements in support of groundwater resources management.
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Auditing and optimisation of groundwater monitoring programmes and networks. Expansion
of national network coverage and gradual upgrade to a national real time monitoring
network.
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The on-going provision of technical and scientific support for groundwater development
and integrated water resource management (allocation, conservation, resource directed
measures, water quality management) at all levels.
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Current research, developments, projects and programmes
- not updated
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Contacts
Groundwater
Information
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The on-going development and maintenance of a national groundwater information system,
its population with data of best possible quality, establishment of appropriate
national standards in support of integrated water resource management.
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Contacts
Regional Support
Groundwater Reserve Determination (GWRD)
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The main functions of the GWRD are to develop policies, strategies and guidelines
towards the protection of groundwater resources through the determination of the
groundwater component of the Reserve. Before water can be allocated for any other
use, a preliminary Reserve, Strategic use, International obligations and General
Authorization, must be set aside. Of importance is the groundwater Reserve, which
needs to be determined to ensure that some groundwater is available for Basic Human
Needs and the Ecological Water Requirements.
Groundwater component of the Reserve can be initiated through priority list set
by the Water Resource Planning Directorate or can be initiated at the request of
the Regional Office.
GWRD support the Regional Offices (RO), through their requests, with Groundwater Reserve Determination studies. Such studies establish whether the groundwater demand is exceeded by groundwater availability. In such instances, compulsory water use licensing will follow to reconcile access between different water users to distribute available groundwater resources equitably.
Alternatively, Regional Offices can request for the Reserve determination to ensure
that there is still groundwater to be allocated to other users. However, Regional
Offices need to monitor if there are no cumulative impacts such that the determined
Reserve is not impacted upon.
Although there is General Authorization set for every five years since 1999, to
ease access to groundwater without applying for a water use licence, it is imperative
for RO to ensure that General Authorization is not used by unregistered users. This can in the long run prove detrimental to groundwater Reserve, where the latter has
priority over all other uses.
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Current research, developments, projects and programmes - not updated
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Contacts
Integrated Hydrological
Planning
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To develop policies, strategies and guidelines for the assessment, planning and management and
modification; to support planning decision support needs and water resource management
objectives. To render specialist project and management support at strategic level
with regards to conjunctive use, thereby enhancing our limited water resources.
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Current research, developments, projects and programmes - not updated
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Contacts
Water Resources Classification (WRC)
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To develop policies, strategies, systems, methodologies and guidelines to facilitate the protection of water resources through the progressive classification of significant water resources as well as determine in a phased and progressive manner, the classes of significant water resources in the country
The main functions of the WRC are to develop policies, strategies, systems, methodologies and guidelines for the classification of water resources. Develop and incrementally update a water resources classification system. Coordinate the determination of the class of all significant water resources. Scientific and water resource classification related support for the implementation of strategic imperatives (i.e. Water for Growth & Development (WfGD), Climate Change and National Water Resources Strategy (NWRS)). Develop and maintain strategic relationships within the department and with other organs of state, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) and stakeholders. Develop and maintain the necessary Water Resources Classification support required to fulfil this function.
- Current research, developments, projects and programmes - not updated
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Contacts
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Resource Protection & Waste
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Implementation of the National Water Act by developing, overseeing, providing support and advice on legislation mechanisms (policies, strategies, regulations, procedures, guidelines, management practices) through groundwater specialist input on water use licence applications for:
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The authorisation of water uses
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Disposal activities of all sources of waste (Local government and other water services institutions, mines, industries and agriculture) for the protection of water resources
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Comments for drafting of waste related regulations and guidelines
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Control of water uses that relates to future, current and historic waste discharge
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Contacts
REGIONAL
OFFICES
Eastern Cape
Free State
Gauteng
- The Gauteng Regional Office is responsible for the following Water Management Areas:
Part of Vaal Water Management Area
- Current research, developments, projects and programmes in the Region - not updated
- Contacts
KwaZulu-Natal
Limpopo
Mpumalanga
Northern Cape
North West
Western Cape
WATER RESEARCH COMMISSION
- Current groundwater research, developments, projects and programmes. - not updated
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