joint action plan to continue to improve the quality of life of South Africaâs
people through improved water quality
1 June 2006
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs and Forestry
(National Assembly) encourages interested individuals and organisations to
submit written comments on Water Quality and Water Security in South Africa.
The hearings will take place on Tuesday, 20 June 2006 and Wednesday, 21 June
2006, Parliament.
The Minister of Water affairs and Forestry is the custodian of South Africaâs
water resources in South Africa and is thus responsible also for ensuring that
our water is safe for drinking, for recreation and a range of diverse life and
sustainable economic activities.
The National Water Act requires the Minister to establish national
monitoring systems for water resources to collect appropriate data and
information that is necessary to assess:
* the quantity, quality and use of water in water resources
* compliance with resource quality objectives
* the health of aquatic ecosystems.
The challenge that faces us as a country is to promote socio-economic
development, whilst maintaining a water quality that is at all times fit for
use and for proper ecological functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
On a daily basis across the country, organisations and individuals impact on
the water quality in our rivers, streams, groundwater and our wetlands. The
consumption of untreated water is one of the main sources of disease in South
Africa.
Water is a source of life but can also be a source of illness, and even
result in death. Safe drinking water is one of mankindâs most important basic
needs, and essential to good health. Our Constitution, the foundation of all
the laws in our country, says that everyone has a right to have access to
water, enough water to live. Our democratic government, who is in charge of our
countryâs water, must ensure that there is clean water for all of us now and
for future generations. Hazardous waste sites threaten water quality both in
urban and rural lands. Pesticides and fertiliser levels in our surface water
and groundwater require ongoing monitoring.
Furthermore, the National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998) provides a
framework to protect water resources against over exploitation and also ensure
that there is water for social and economic development. The Act also
recognises that water belongs to the whole nation for the benefit of all
people.
The public hearings would want to examine the need for improved data about
the condition of our water resources. The people of South Africa, in general
requires continuous information about our water resources. The hearings would
look also into the human and financial resources set aside for water quality
protection, enforcement, monitoring and oversight. Policies and programmes need
to be identified to enhance water quality and dam safety and security.
Amongst others, the Portfolio Committee on Water affairs and Forestry would
want to have its outcome on:
* research and data, a comprehensive countrywide water quality monitoring
network and resource allocation on research
* the policy and legislative environment/goals with regards to surface water
protection, partnerships existing between government and communities,
groundwater protection, dam safety and security;
* technology transfer and technical assistance fusion for communities
* volunteerism in water quality protection
* improvement on dissemination of information on water quality
* health and education plans on water quality.
Written submissions must be addressed to the Secretary to Parliament of the
RSA, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000 and must reach us by no later than Wednesday, 14
June 2006.
Ms C C September, MP, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water
Affairs and Forestry.
Enquiries:
Mr Bradley Viljoen
Tel: (021) 403 3740
Fax: (021) 403 2808
E-mail: bviljoen@parliament.gov.za
Issued by: S.A Parliament
1 June 2006
