Standardised tools to support assessment of the socioeconomic impact of water reallocation through compulsory licensing

Abstract

As one of its primary objectives, the 1998 National Water Act (NWA) sets out to ensure equitable access to water resources, including rectifying the effects of past racial and gender discrimination. The NWA further enables the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest, including the facilitation of social and economic development. In pursuit of these objectives, principles and mechanisms are set down in the NWA for the allocation and re-allocation of water resources. One of the impediments to achieving more equitable sharing of water is the persistence of Existing Lawful Uses (ELU) as defined in section 32 of the NWA. These are water uses that were authorised under any law in force immediately before the NWA came into effect. Their retention under the new dispensation was intended to be a temporary measure to smooth the transition and avoid disrupting economic activities reliant on large volumes of water, without immediately requiring users to apply for water use licences under the NWA.

Categories