water research commission progress and planning report...
TRANSCRIPT
Presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Water and the Environment
Water Research Commission Progress and Planning Report 2012/13 and 2013/14
27 March 2013
Document Pack for the PPC
1. Copy of the presentation.
2. Copy of the 5-year WRC Corporate Plan 2013/14 to 2017/18.
3. Abridged Corporate Plan.
4. Copy of the Annual Performance Plan 2013/14.
5. WRC 2012/13 Highlights.
6. The WRC PAIA section 14 Manual.
WRC 2013
Structure of Presentation
Financial Year 2012/13
Project highlights for the year.
Financial report (provisional).
Report on Audit matters and PAIA.
Financial Year 2013/14
Key elements of the Corporate Plan.
Performance measures for the 2013/14 year.
Compliance with PAIA
WRC 2013
WRC 2013
WRC Highlights 2012/13
The WRC
Knowledge Tree
Report
Informing policy and decision-making
WRC study on the state of non-revenue water Data from 132 municipalities representing 75% of the total volume of municipal water supply.
South Africa’s present level of non-revenue water is in the order of 37% - equal to the world average, but much lower than developed countries
Exploring Pretoria’s life-giving fountains WRC Hydrological Heritage project has illustrated the role that groundwater can play in meeting not only rural water demands,
but also urban water requirements. Quantifying SA’s water resources
Leading the Water Resources 2012 (WR2012)
Project, providing an update of all
hydrological data, further enhancement to
existing hydrological models,
and revised groundwater data. WRC 2013
Informing policy and decision-making
Capturing past lessons for tomorrow’s challenges
In the Footsteps of Giants – Exploring the History of South Africa’s Large Dams, investigates the history of the country’s most iconic bulk water resource infrastructure.
Sustainable Use of South Africa’s Inland Waters, sets out opportunities and challenges in relation to the Ecological Reserve and the implementation of the National Water Act.
Keeping a finger on the pulse of SA water R&D First study to quantify R&D trends in the water sector showed that South Africa’s water research is ranked 19th(SA overall 33rd) in the world and contributes 1.69% (SA average is 0.5%) global share.
WRC 2013
Empowering South African Communities
Identifying those at risk of climate change impacts WRC funded research investigated how to identify vulnerable communities, which should be primary targets for climate change adaptation strategies.
Ensuring food safety WRC research found that the microbial pollution
levels of rivers and fresh produce monitored in
provinces of South Africa over 3-4 years were of
an unacceptable microbiological standard and
did not meet international or national faecal
guidelines for safe irrigation or human
consumption. A high risk of exposure to pathogens
Was found when water from certain rivers are
used to irrigate. Further research is underway. WRC 2013
Transforming South African society
Extending a hand to extension officers Comprehensive training material for extension advisors in irrigation water management has been designed and interactively tested. The technical learner guide consist of 8 different modules and addresses the required skills and competencies for agricultural extension.
Tackling food insecurity and malnutrition In a WRC study the nutritional water productivity of foodstuffs was determined. The result is an index for a given food product that includes nutrient-based output per unit water use.
WRC 2013
Providing sustainable solutions
Improving sanitation across Southern Africa WRC was awarded a grant of R20-million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to establish and execute a sanitation research capacity building programme for African research institutions.
Safely eradicating invasive alien fish The WRC led extensive surveys undertaken before and after the use of piscicide to permanently remove alien invasive fish from a section of the Rondegat River, one of the Western Cape’s most critical rivers. This was the first time such a project had been attempted in South Africa
Contributing to dam design • A WRC study has contributed to the overall improvement of
the Berg River Dam design by using simulations of continuous gate closure.
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New innovations for economic development
Bringing SA scientists closer to aquatic life WRC research has led to the development of a locally produced biotelemetry system to monitor the behaviour or aquatic organisms in South Africa. The technology has now been successfully developed and tested in the field.
Determining the cost of water treatment WRC-funded research has led to the development of WATCOST – a software model for establishing and predicting the cost-efficiency of a range of small-scale water treatment technologies that are used in water supply schemes. The model also provides guidelines for the selection of decentralised versus centralised water supply.
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WRC Milestones 2013/14
Growing
SA Water STI
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High Impact Initiatives
HIV treatment regimen and their impact on water quality.
Legal narrative of the South African Water Law
Shale gas harvesting by Hydraulic Fracturing [fracking] and the impact on water resources
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Guidelines and Manuals expected
Management Guidelines of Alien and Invasive Fish Species A Guideline will be produced and inform DEA policy (Alien and Invasive species regulations under NEMBA Act 2004), based on fish and macro-invertebrate recovery rates in the Rondegat River, Western Cape, after eradication of invasive fish using chemical, the rotenone.
Buffer zone Determination Manual This will be ready to be used in EIA’s based on a project “methodology to determine the appropriate buffer zone width and type for developments associated with wetlands, watercourses and estuaries”
Prediction of Fish Kills Guide A Guide on how to establish the fish kill cause that can stand litigation in SA.
Manual for river rehabilitation. A manual for setting urban river rehabilitation targets will be finished, Oct 2013
Guidelines on best management practices for RWH&C for rangelands and croplands have been produced.
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Water supply to 1.2 m residents - 450 000 in sp area - MNF 2 800 m3/hr = high leakage - <80% losses associated with - high pump cost in sewers, bulk water network, spillages, R120m water bill
Energy savings is mainly as result of reduced pumping requirements (calc @ head 400m)
R30 m /annum saving as result of reduced water purchases by LM (@ R3/m3)
13 000 MWh saved / annum
65 000 tons of CO2 / 5 years
A pressure reduction chamber with associated valves, pipes, meters, strainers, etc
Smaller diameter pipes
Regulate pressure through cycle
Energy Efficiency - SA Water Industry : Compendium of Best
Practice Eg. Leakage reduction and water conservation (IWA award + GWRC best P)
Significant Findings and projects
A report will be published which measured the levels of three selected emerging contaminants in drinking water from seven major cities in South Africa.
Restoring the natural landscape for improved productivity and sustainable employment
Water and the Green Economy
Initiation of the WRC Lighthouses.
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The WRC Lighthouses
Water-Energy-Food security nexus.
Water sensitive urban design and wastewater.
The Green Village (combined off-grid solutions for power and water).
Water governance.
Climate Change.
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New products and services
Pilot implementation of the up to 200 pour flush latrines initiated and hopefully completely installed.
The University of Johannesburg bottle scale filter device (which was an international Smart Pot Challenge finalist) will be produced and ready for roll out. The WRC’s plan is to ensure every rural school child owns one of these bottles.
A low volume flush unit toilet will be developed and tested.
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New products and services
The WRC is also undertaking development of a micro-flush toilet, that will make an enormous contribution to water conservation and demand management in this region.
Development of a cellphone based national water quiz competition for school children.
Novel household housing units for clay pots have been developed and will be demonstrated in rural areas. These housing units protect the pots, preventing damage and contamination. This helps provide rural households with clean, safe, drinking water
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Major WRC Events in 2013
WRC Symposium - September 2013
Water and Gender Summit – November 2013
WRC Dialogues Calendar
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Budget 2012/13 – Current financial year
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The Water Research Levy (WRL) is Water Research Fund’s principle source of income at 87%.
Increases in the WRL is currently limited to the inflation rate which leaves the challenge of scientific inflation.
The other source of income is Leverage income from both local and international funding partners, public sector, industry and philanthropy.
Budget 2012/13 – Current financial year
WRC 2013
The WRC’s Expense profile is as follows:
Fixed costs – 2%
Running costs – 3%
HR costs – 19%
Research & development funding – 75%
Corporate costs – 1%
Budget 2012/13 – Current financial year
DESCRIPTION Rands
Water Research Levies 159 637 470
Interest Received 5 500 220
Leverage 17 767 938
Sales/Commercial 911 326
Transfer of Unspent Committed Project Funds 21 645 438
TOTAL INCOME 205 462 392
Fixed Costs 3 765 015
Running Costs 9 048 776
Human Resource Costs 35 590 907
Research & Development Funding 152 942 399
Corporate Expenditure 2 286 314
Capital Expenditure 1 828 981
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 205 462 392WRC 2013
Budget 2012/13 – Current financial year
The WRC will commence with the reconciliation of the its actuals against budget in April 2013 as it has a 31 March year-end
The WRC is confident that the budgeted income for the WRL and Leverage Income will be achieved
It is also confident that the R&D Expenditure budget will be substantially spent and the unspent portion is fully committed in terms of contracts
It also does not expect any overruns on any of its expense categories
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Audit 2012/13
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The WRC received an unqualified audit report with no emphasis of matter for 2011/12.
The Internal Audit report for 2012/13 revealed no major findings.
Internal Audit rated WRC’s internal control environment as satisfactory.
The Auditor General’s audit plan for 2012/13 was approved by the Board on the Audit & Risk Committee’s recommendation.
Board approved AFS & performance information will be provided to the Auditor General by 31 May 2013
2011/12 Financial year Audit findings
Audit findings emanating from the 2011/12 year-end audit have been substantially resolved
Tax certificates (new protocol)
Declarations of interest by suppliers
Protocols for waivers for unique services
Merit bonus payment for the 2011/12 financial year for the WRC for all staff (TOTAL) as approved by the WRC Board amounted to R1.7m
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WRC 2013
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Transforming
Headline Summary of new projects
Total number of projects approved
75 / 246
Total value of projects over cycle R94 807 928
Total budget for 2013/14 R28 633 571
Number of PDI project leaders (B, W)
47% of PL’s on projects selected for funding are PDI’s. 35/75
Indicative number of students 262 students participating in 82% of projects.
HDI participation (contracting) 4 projects with HDI leads
SMME participation 22 projects
Projects related to components of WRC Knowledge Tree
All 75 projects address several components of the WRC Knowledge Tree
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Budget 2013/14 – New financial year
Submitted in terms of s53.1 of the PFMA to the Minister by 30 September 2012
Approved by the Minister in November 2012
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Budget 2013/14 – New financial year
DESCRIPTION Rands
Water Research Levies 168 152 371
Interest Received 5 610 224
Leverage 19 590 085
Sales/Commercial 952 392
Transfer of Unspent Committed Project Funds 17 500 000
TOTAL INCOME 211 805 072
Fixed Costs 3 958 051
Running Costs 8 004 569
Human Resource Costs 37 800 880
Research & Development Funding 159 068 148
Corporate Expenditure 2 399 645
Capital Expenditure 573 779
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 211 805 072
WRC 2013
Budget 2013/14 – New financial year
The WRL was increased by the projected inflation rate
A major component of the Leverage income is the funding received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The WRC has strived to maintain a 75% research ratio
Running/operating cost budgets have been subjected to cost containment & efficiency gains
WRC 2013
Corporate plan 2013/14 – 2017/18
A summary of current year and the MTEF budgets
BUDGET YEAR
DESCRIPTION 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
Levies 159 637 470 168 152 371 177 395 036 187 003 198 196 318 945 206 569 325
Interest Received 5 500 220 5 610 224 5 722 429 5 836 877 5 953 615 6 013 151
Leverage 18 679 264 20 542 477 23 774 783 23 198 588 23 685 405 24 369 387
Transfer of Unspent Committed Project Funds
21 645 438 17 500 000 17 500 000 17 500 000 17 500 000 17 500 000
TOTAL INCOME 205 462 392 211 805 072 224 392 248 233 538 663 243 457 965 254 451 863
Fixed Costs 3 765 015 3 958 051 4 158 214 4 365 417 4 583 338 4 812 505
Running Costs 9 048 776 8 004 569 8 366 942 8 745 985 9 142 477 9 553 888
Human Resource Costs 35 590 907 37 800 880 40 246 073 42 650 278 45 198 481 48 136 382
Research & Development Funding
152 942 399 159 068 148 168 509 954 174 521 444 181 126 483 188 371 542
Corporate Expenditure 2 286 314 2 399 645 2 518 597 2 643 448 2 774 491 2 913 216
Capital Expenditure 1 828 981 573 779 592 468 612 091 632 695 664 330
TOTAL EXPENDITURE 205 462 392 211 805 072 224 392 248 233 538 663 243 457 965 254 451 863 WRC 2013
Corporate plan 2013/14 – 2017/18
Includes inter alia the following:
WRC’s strategic objectives
Financial projections
Financial indicators
A risk register
A materiality framework
Key performance indicators, both financial and non financial
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WRC Institutional Review
WRC will have an institutional review in 2013.
The Review Panel comprises four highly regarded scientists and research managers.
The team has two international reviewers and two South African Reviewers.
We are hopeful that the PPC members will be available to engage with the Review Team.
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COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
Public Access to Information Act (PAIA)
o Manual compiled and signed by CEO (Chief Information Officer) o Published on WRC website o Signed manual sent to Department of Justice and South African Human Rights Commission (email and hardcopy)
PAIA and requirements presented to WRC staff Dedicated e-mail set up to receive enquiries ([email protected]) Form A (Request for information) also available on WRC Website Internal guide compiled to ensure annual compliance with Section 15 (information freely available from WRC) and Section 32 Report (Report on statistics pertaining to requests received)
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Measuring WRC Performance
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ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN
The WRC APP 2013/14 adopts a modified set of indicators based on important consultations and inputs including this Portfolio Committee.
There is much more emphasis on the Outcome and Impact indicators in comparison with previous years.
These are based on the 6 areas of the WRC Knowledge Tree.
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ANNUAL PERFORMANCE PLAN
Research Portfolio Financial Wellbeing Human Resources, Wellness,
Development and Corporate Social Responsibility The APP document is part of the pack
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Our motto moving forward
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Thank You
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