Question no: 1703
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:
(1) Whether a moratorium has been placed on development in any municipalities, towns or cities as a result of current or anticipated water shortages; if not, why not; if so, (a) which municipalities, towns and cities are affected, (b) why timeous intervention has not occurred to prevent this circumstance in each case and (c) what intervention is now being planned in each case;
(2) What timeframes are attached to each intervention, (b) what are the costs involved and (c) who will be responsible for the cost of each intervention;
(3) Whether a moratorium will be placed on development in other municipalities, towns or cities as a result of current or anticipated water shortages; if so, (a) which municipalities, towns or cities will be affected and (b) when are these moratoria to be imposed in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a) No, moratoriums have been put in place by my department however; each application is evaluated on its merit and if water is available, such development is considered. In cases where water is not available to support planned developments, my department provides support to the municipality to explore alternative water resources. There are reconciliation studies that my department has undertaken in towns and cities where there is anticipated development. These studies make recommendations proactively to municipalities with regard to water resources in terms of projected future needs. When evaluating application for additional water, my department also evaluates the ability of existing water and sanitation infrastructure to support additional development.
Issued by: Department of Water Affairs
16 October 2009
Source: Department of Water Affairs (http://www.dwaf.gov.za/media.asp)
