Public-Private Partnership needed to address water shortage in Crocodile River systemJuly 02, 2009

More water supply is needed in the Crocodile River system to support growing local economy and sustain land reform. This is the view of the newly established Komati/Ngwenya Private Sector Forum (KNPSF). The forum is made up of Lowveld-based major industrial and agriculture water users.

Dawie van Rooy, chairperson of the Forum says there is a need to build “a new storage dam in the Crocodile River catchment and to set up mechanisms to ensure optimal water distribution to all users.”

The Crocodile River system is “the most water stressed river system in the country and is currently oversubscribed by up to 40%, he says, adding that the available water would not be sufficient to support further development especially in the agricultural sector where land has been transferred to communities through government’s land reform programme.

Van Rooy says the KNPS Forum is preparing a motivation to government for the building of an additional storage dam in the Ehlanzeni area.

The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry is also investigating a number of possible new dam sites through a pre-reconnaissance study to be completed in two years. The KNPS Forum is available to provide assistance to government in this regard.

Established in November 2006, the KNPS Forum consists of members of the private sector and focuses on issues of economic sustainability and aims to facilitate public-private partnership arrangement with Government on issues of mutual interest.