Assessing the application of the water institution in the Wonderfonteinspruit catchment South Africa

Abstract

This paper reviews the water institution: legal framework, water policy and administration, in South Africa with particular reference to the mining areas drained by the Wonderfonteinspruit River. The main aim was to examine the effectiveness in the implementation of the institutional setting for water resources management in the area. This was done by analysing the grey areas in existing policies and their implementation making use of government publications: policies on water resources and mine waste management, literature on water policy, the models applied in other parts of the world and indicators of sustainable water resources management. Findings indicate that the current status is a result of disintegrated implementation mechanisms of the water institution as a result of the weak linkages between the three components of water institution. Based on these findings, a conceptual model on aligning policy and implementation was developed to improve reform and implementation, thereby promoting sustainable development.