The six water governance pillars of South Africa, water governance determines how South Africa allocates and regulates the management of water and other natural resources. It encompasses both official and unofficial institutions through which authority is exercised-a combination known as distributed governance.
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Constitution
The Constitution enshrines South Africa’s founding values: human dignity, equality, and human rights. Section 27 guarantees everyone’s right to access sufficient water and obligates the state to take legislative and other measures to progressively realize this right. It also ensures equal benefit of the law, prohibiting unfair discrimination in water service provision while protecting human dignity and life.
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National Water Act
The National Water Act regulates how communities and individuals obtain the right to use water, ensuring just and equitable utilization of water resources. The NWA aims to guard, use, advance, conserve, and manage South Africa’s water resources appropriately.
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Water Services Act
The Water Services Act 108 of 1997 provides for the right to access basic water supply and sanitation, establishes national standards and norms for tariffs, and requires water services development plans.
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Local Government Acts
These acts ensure the provision of services that promote social and economic development, create safe and healthy living environments, and encourage community involvement in local government matters.
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National Environmental Management Act
The National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 provides for cooperative environmental governance by establishing decision-making principles, promoting institutional cooperation, and coordinating environmental functions across government organs.
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Private Sector Participation
The private sector plays an essential role in sustainable water management and governance. Without private sector involvement, government bodies would struggle to address increasing water governance backlogs amid emerging water-related business threats and opportunities.
For decades, MEB has successfully coordinated, developed, and managed water, land, and related resources sustainably. Protecting the environment while supplying clean water remains at the heart of our continued success.
