Die belangrikheid van water as ’n basiese behoefte vir ekonomiese ontwikkeling in Streek 23

Abstract

The economic developmental potential of region 23 is to be found mainly in the field of the primary sector. Future development in the agricultural sector is dependent upon large volumes of water. To realise the developmental potential o f Region 23 is is essential that a reconciliation be affected between the demand for water by the various consumers, and the availability o f groundwater and surface water resources. From the balance sheets compiled for the years 1970, 1980 and 2000, it appears that Region 23 already experienced water shortages in 1970. Should supplementation from local sources not take place, more water will have to be withdrawn from the Vaal River, which can present serious problems. As a result of water shortages in Region 23 priorities have to be determined according to how much water will be allocated to various consumers with due regard being given to the strategic value of certain products. Economic development in Region 23 demands large volumes of water as a basic need, and measures to create a reconciliation between supply and demand should receive urgent attention.

Die ekonomiese ontwikkelingspotensiaal van Streek 23 lê hoofsaaklik op die gebied van die primere sektor. Toekomstige ontwikkeling in die landbousektor is afhanklik van groot volumes water. Om die ontwikkelingspotensiaal van Streek 23 te realiseer is ’n versoening van die behoefte aan water deur die verskillende gebruikers en die beskikbaarheid van oppervlak- en grondwater noodsaaklik. Uit die balansstate wat vir die jare 1970, 1980 en 2000 bereken is, is dit duidelik dat Streek 23 al sedert 1970 watertekorte ondervind. Indien aanvulling uit plaaslike waterbronne nie plaasvind nie, sal meer water uit die Vaalrivier onttrek moet word, wat ernstige probleme inhou. As gevolg van die watertekorte in Streek 23 sal prioriteite vir die voordeligste toekenning van water aan die verskillende watergebruikers, met inagneming van die strategiese waarde van sekere produksies, bepaal moet word. Ekonomiese ontwikkeling in Streek 23 vereis groot volumes water as ’n basiese behoefte, en maatreels om die behoefte aan en beskikbaarheid van water te versoen vereis dringende aandag.