UTILITIES & WATER SER VICES AUTHORITIES
to implement an IWRM programme Integrated water resource management (IWRM) promotes the coordinated development and management of water and land to maximise economic and social welfare, without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Here is a guideline on how water services authorities (WSAs) can implement online IWRM. By Dr Masindi Mapholi
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WRM should improve all aspects of water resource management – collecting water, storing water, distributing water, conserving water and maintaining its quality. It aims to find a balance between the social, environmental and technological perspectives of water resource management. Water service delivery is a core responsibility for districts and local municipalities, whether as a WSA or a water services provider. With IWRM, municipal officials have to adopt a holistic and integrated approach to water service delivery and water resource management. They would have to consider the health of rivers and wetlands, in addition to delivering water and sanitation to households.
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However, many municipalities fail to comply with the prescripts of the Water Services Development Plan (WSDP), mainly because of ignorance and a lack of capacity regarding staff and data systems. They fail to manage their infrastructure adequately, have poorly run and inadequate sewage treatment plants, and overlook adequate stormwater management in semi-formal and high-density suburbs. All of these ultimately result in river pollution. Few municipalities monitor the health of their water resources. IWRM guidelines for local authorities The 2007 report on IWRM guidelines for local authorities requires municipal management structures to be extensively reviewed. This would be a
Dr Masindi Mapholi, Directorate: Water Services Planning Support, Department of Water and Sanitation
