Water User Association (South Africa)

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The Water User Association , WUA abbreviated (German as: "water users Zweckverband") in South Africa is a corporation of public law , by the relevant competent Ministry in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8 in the National Water Act, Act No. 36 of 1998 (NWA) can be established. It is a cooperative association of individual water users whose aim is to undertake water-related activities for mutual benefit. A distinction is made between special ( sectoral ) and multifunctional ( multi-sectoral ) WUAs. The intention to establish such a body must be publicly announced by the responsible minister in the Government Gazette .

aims

WUAs are designed to prevent water from any water resource from being wasted by:

  • Protection of the natural available water resources ,
  • Preventing unauthorized use of water,
  • the removal or elimination of improperly placed obstacles in a watercourse as well
  • preventing any unlawful act that may affect the quality of the water in any water resource.

WUA's are supposed to exercise general supervision over water supplies, based on the

  • Regulation of the inflow of all rivers through:
    • Clearing their river bed ,
    • Reducing the risks to land areas in the event of flooding ,
    • Restoring the course of the river if it has been altered by natural causes.

WUA's should carry out the explorations and records to determine:

  • Water volumes and the fluctuations in the water level of rivers,
    • the times and
    • the places where water can occur that can be used by anyone authorized to use water from a water resource.

WUAs should take over the construction, purchase or other procurement, control, operation and maintenance of water management systems that:

WUAs are supposed to monitor and regulate the distribution and use of water from a water management system in accordance with justified water use claims through the establishment and maintenance of systems, in particular through:

  • Measurement and division or
  • Control of the distribution of flowing water.

Organizational models

A sector-based WUA acts in the interest and with the common intention of a group of similar users. For example, a group of developing agricultural companies in the irrigation field economy or a recreational use project can form a sector-based WUA.

A multi-sector WUA acts in the interest and in the interest of a combination of different water use goals, such as environmental protection, forestry, mining and irrigation in a common way.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ A b Republic of South Africa, Department of Water & Sanitation: Different types of WUAs . on www.dwa.gov.za (English)
  2. ^ Republic of South Africa: National Water Act, Chapter 8 . on www.dwa.gov.za (English)
  3. ^ Republic of South Africa, Department of Water & Sanitation: Water User Association . on www.dwa.gov.za (English)
  4. ^ Republic of South Africa, Department of Water & Sanitation: Functions of WUAs . on www.dwa.gov.za (English)