South African water governance between administrative and hydrological boundaries

Abstract

Climate change poses major threats to South Africa. The country depends heavily on surface water and its water resources are already under stress. Against this background one possible adaptation measure is a holistic approach and the management of water according to the basin principle. This article examines current water sector reforms and especially the transformation from administrative to hydrological boundaries. It concludes that this transformation might help to make the South African water governance system more adaptive to climate change. However, the analysis shows that the transformation towards hydrological boundaries is affected by a number of trade-offs. These are the trade-offs between, firstly, (a) the improved fit between the social and the ecological system and (b) the misfit between scales within the social system. Secondly, a trade-off exists between (a) correct classification along hydrological boundaries (holistic approach) and (b) a feasible size for effective management, meaningful stakeholder participation and financial viability, which may require a splitting and merging of hydrological entities and thus a violation of the hydrological principle. These trade-offs can only be met through a combination of intense communication, cooperation and coordinated action between the involved organizations.

Keywords:

• adaptation
• Catchment Management Agencies
• climate change
• hydrological boundaries
• South Africa
• water governance
• water management