National Water Resource Strategy 2

Portfolio Committee Hearings: Response to Submissions

Fred van ZylDepartment of Water Affairs

November 2012

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1. Introductory Statement• The Department of Water Affairs appreciates and values the

engagement and support of the Portfolio Committee towards the development of an effective and appropriate NWRS2

• The Department appreciates and welcomes the input and responses provided by the public and sector role-players

• The Department is in the process of extended & extensive engagement with the presenters, institutions, sectors & role players

• The Department is also conducting a series of consultations with sector stakeholder and all these comments will be assessed and reviewed

• The public consultations will run up to 7 December 2012 and the aim is to finalise the NWRS by March 2013

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Hearings a key part of a broader consultation process:

• Public Consultation– National– Provincial

• Theme and Sector Consultation– Various sectors– Civil Society– Theme workshops– Sector support team

• Media & communication• Website, e-mails and written submissions

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2. General Comments & Overview• The submissions & presentations reflected a wide spectrum

of aspects & issues regarding the draft strategy, varying from the inclusion of specific programmes to improved regulation, from specific water quality issues such as acid mine drainage and ‘fracking’ to the need to engage with sector strategies, from information requirements to policy debate, from style & format to institutional requirements

• The comments are being considered• DWA has to consider and decide on how the comments will

be incorporated into the NWRS2

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General Comments & Overview (2)

• There are diverse opinions on what the ‘strategy’ must include &/or provide, including some dissatisfaction on what is currently in the strategy

• Most stakeholders commented on their own areas of interest and therefore comments are mostly theme or programme focussed with related expectations

• In principle positive support & appreciation for the Strategy framework and associated strategies

• DWA acknowledges some gaps in the strategy as well as the need to reorganise and provide more detail

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Public response framework

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governance

governance

spatialspatialinstitutionalinstitutional

enabling

enabling

operationaloperational

strategicstrategic

Use/im

pact

secto

r

Use/im

pact

secto

routcomeoutcome

outcomeoutcome

outcomeoutcome

outcomeoutcome

outcomeoutcome

holistic

programmesprogrammes

Submissions represented different themes and

dimensions

Submissions represented different themes and

dimensions

Submissions reflect different operating levels

Submissions reflect different operating levels

Few submissions focussed on outcomes and the total

picture

Few submissions focussed on outcomes and the total

picture

Some Positive Responses

• Major support for Core Strategies • Strong demand for effective water regulation • Demand to address functionality, operations & maintenance• Need to address mobilization of resources• Need to ensure implementation tools & instruments (sub strategies, legislation, etc)• Link with water services• Align with Sector goals & strategies• Provide detailed objectives, targets and responsibilities

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Specific comments on strategy approach

• Only focus on NWRS1 framework and content!• Include assessment on limited implementation of

NWRS1• Too many strategies • Exclude policy issues and implications• Only focus on operational issues and actions• Proposal to exclude some concepts: smart

management, water footprint, value chain, source to tap

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3. Response framework

1. Definition & understanding of “strategy”2. Scope, contents and format:

1. Legal requirement 2. NWRS1 framework vs NWRS2 drivers3. Policy or no policy4. ‘new’ concepts: yes or no?5. Too much, too little

3. NWRS 1 analysis & strategic assessment4. Format , structure & style

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Response framework

5. Specific Issues1. Improved governance: regulation, law reform 2. Sector alignment & involvement 3. New proposals & theme gaps: urban strategies,

rural strategy, AMD, fracking, off-setting 4. Institutional: CMAs, forums, Infrastructure

agency, water tribunal 5. Operational issues6. Information7. Alignment & integration with Water Services

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3.1 Definition and understanding of ‘strategy’ & associated detail

• Different expectations: from high level strategic direction to programmes, and associated activities with detailed implementation plans

• Extensive detail required in terms of NW Act (detailed information, plans, guidelines, procedures for each action)

• Different levels of detail in terms of macro and core strategies vs operational strategies

• Issue of availability of extended theme strategies

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3.2. Scope Contents and Format(1) Legal requirements

• Requirement 1: Strategy must set out strategies to achieve the purpose of the Act:– ‘Purpose’ clearly described in Act but no associated strategies for key

Outcomes in NWRS1 (except ecosystem protection, disaster management & international) – now included, plus sector strategy alignment

• Information requirement: Challenges experienced to provide detailed water accounts per WMA: detail not available, but advanced information and associated strategies reflected in Reconciliation Studies which forms part of NWRS2. Presentation of water balances problematic in terms of reality of sector & user misinterpretation

• Legal ‘status’: Format & style of document to be addressed

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Focus on purpose(as per NW Act)

Water resources must be:

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To support (achieve)

protected

used

developed

conserved

managed

controlled

Basic human needs

Equitable access

Redressing the past

Efficient, sustainable use

Social & economic development

protecting aquatic ecosystems

Prevent pollution & degradation

Disasters, dam safety, international, growth

valued

(2) Difference between and rationale for change between NWRS1 and NWRS2

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NWRS1 NWRS2Limited sector knowledge, participation, ownership, DWA responsible and accountable

Sector ownership and focus, joint accountability and responsibilityCore strategies

Limited and fragmented implementation

Implementation model with clear agreements, integrated approach (internal and external)Enabling strategies and strategic intervention (governance model)

Internally focused on the water sector

Alignment across sectors such as agriculture, land reform, energy, private sector, etc. Also spatial alignment

(3) Policy or No Policy

• NPC recommended that NWRS2 must only be an operational strategy of existing policy and should not include any new policy

• Response: present & future situation and requirements demand a rethink of existing water management model and associated strategies. DWA and many other stakeholders such as BUSA, Energy, Environment, Agriculture, Civil Society supports the inclusion of key and critical policy issues

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International Assessments (2012)WWF, Rio+20, water security Workshop

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Water qualityCentral role of

water

Threats

Ineffectual leadership

Fresh water security

State risks

ecosystems

Reasons Intervention

Financial resources

Technical ability

Management ability

Historical experience insufficient

funding

Align with social, economic goals

Collective sector effort

Water footprint

Smart , holistic culture

Concepts aligned with international framework

(4) Include ‘new’ concepts: yes or no?• 2 groups objected to the introduction of new

concepts such as water footprint, source to tap, core strategies.

• Majority of other groups/ institutions are strong supporters thereof

• Response : maintain concepts but provide more detail and actions

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(5) NWRS2 includes too much, too little• Recommendations received to only focus on a few areas• Statements made that DWA is too optimistic and must be

more realistic• Response:

– Recommendations in principle valid – However, some strategies are not negotiable and must be

implemented– When combining all input, there is an increase in number of

proposed strategies– All strategies are in principle valid and will be addressed by

different managers and institutions

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3.3 NWRS 1 analysis & strategic assessment

• Proposal to include a section on strategic analysis of NWRS1 implementation

• Response: Strategic assessment was done, not only in terms of NWRS1, but also in terms of the water challenges experienced

• Instead of reflecting the findings in a defensive manner, it was introduced as critical core and enabling strategies

• Assessment process and findings will be included in preamble

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Strategic Assessment 1• Failure to implement

– Lack of ownership : < 2 - 4% awareness– Product v/s ‘live strategy’ approach– Inadequate commitment, will, leadership

• Why water concerns & challenges:– Status of water: water not valued, poor culture and attitude– Incomplete and inadequate governance and management

approach/ model (‘smart thinking’)– Inadequate leadership and commitment– Inadequate integrated planning & alignment– Lack of sector ownership and accountability

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Strategic Assessment cont

• Role & position of Water– Water management not aligned with sector macro

strategies and vice versa– Water not central to planning decision making

• Specific concerns:– Skills, capacity– Funding– Business model– Information, knowledge – Insight & understanding (no water concerns)

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Strategic Assessment 2: Dealing with the future

• Reality• Water @ the cross roads• Dealing with the real & reality challenges• Issue of ‘insight vs sight’• Redesigning the governance model

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3.4 Format , structure & style

• Need to improve style, align sub strategies with core strategies

• Focus on and include implementation plan with clear targets, detail actions, timeframes, responsibilities.

• Need to translate in all languages ( user friendly)• Response: Agree. Implementation plan will be

submitted with the NWRS2 . The document will be translated after gazetting. Summarised, user friendly interim translations are under development.

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3.5 Response to specific issues raised during the Public Hearings

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Governance and Leadership (1)

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Integrated planningUrban strategyRural Strategy

Core Strategy 2: These issues will be addressed in the implementation framework

RegulationsInformationMonitoringComplianceFair and consistent Transparency

Governance Strategy 2: Availability of information and transparency acknowledged within the government legislative framework. Issues raised will be considered in the rework and other related strategies & legal framework

Governance and Leadership (2)overnance and Leadership

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Water use authorizationsLicensing backlogsImplement compulsory licensing

The Department has already prioritised the eradication of the water use licensing backlog through the Letsema programme. The intension is to proceed with compulsory licensing and it will be included in the NWRS2 and the implementation framework.

Institutional frameworkFast track establishment of CMAsDelegate functionsInvolve Civil Society

Governance Strategy 3: Proposals to include, improve and address motive for CMAs, participatory management and the role of forums, Infrastructure agency, the Water Tribunal , Regulator

Information Address required information gap and requirementsNeed to align Response:Updated, detailed water balance & accounts per WMA not available.Advanced reconciliation studies and associated information presents required strategic insight and directionInformation and strategic implications in NWRS1 are still valid and applicable.

Governance and Leadership (3)overnance and Leadership

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Investment framework for the water sector

Core strategy 10: A Water Sector investment framework has been developed and was endorsed by Cabinet. Response: Comments to strengthen it will be incorporated.

Management of water resourcesovernance and Leadership

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Water use efficiency Core Strategy 6, Detailed Core Strategy 2 addresses the issues

Water qualityRiver HealthAMDFrackingWaste Water Systems

Core Strategy 5, Detailed Core Strategy 1, Governance Strategy 2AMD & fracking will be addressedSpecific water quality sub-strategy to be included

ReservePrioritisation , monitoring and management of ecological and human needsEco Systems Management

Core Strategies 1, 2, 3, 4, 7Agree to strengthen reserve & eco-systems components

Alignment with Water Services Will align with Water Services

Technical matters

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Infrastructure –new Core strategy 10, Enabling strategy 1: Will improve and strengthen.

Operation and maintenance

Core strategy 9, agree on expanding and prioritization.

New innovation Fog harvesting, rainwater harvesting, alien vegetation, stream flow reduction activities will be addressed

Operational matters

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DWA operational issues Various requests to deal with operational level issues such as water licensing, trading, strategic use and allocation, etcResponse: Agree, need to be addressed. Various policy implications and related issues.

Cross cutting issues

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Sector Collaboration DWA has established an extensive collaboration network during the consultation process and will proceed and formalize it further during the implementation phase

Job creation Core Strategies 3, 4 & 10, Enabling Strategies 1, 2

Pro poor Equity, 1, 4

Skills development Enabling Strategy 2

4 Implementation Framework And Governance

• Clear implementation framework will be developed• Outcome based• Timeframes• Prioritizing• Business alignment

– Aligned to DWA performance plan and strategy– Strengthen partnerships with existing Government structures

and Departments– Sector partnerships and commitments

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5 DWA Proposed Process to assess and consider comments

• 90 days consultation period ends on 7 December 2012• DWA will then enter a phase during which the comments and

inputs will be assessed, reviewed and incorporated as relevant and appropriate – mid-December 2012 to January/Februay 2013

• In order to ensure transparency, an evidence based approach and buy in, DWA will set up internal and external review panels:– Sector Specialists– DWA Strategy Champions– Senior Management– Minister

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DWA Proposed Process to assess and consider comments

• Timeframes– Redraft – March 2013– Minister’s endorsement of redrafted NWRS2 - end March 2013– State of the Nation Address – include NWRS2- February 2013– Cluster approvals – early 2013– Cabinet approval – April 2013– Parliament approval – subject to and following Cabinet approval– Gazette by the Minister – mid 2013

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“The difference between a successful person and others is

not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,

but rather in a lack of will” Vincent T. Lombardi

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Thank You