PROJECT BRIEFING: ESTABLISHMENT
OF WATER USER ASSOCIATIONS
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT LIAISON
MEETING
12 DECEMBER 2006
POLOKWANE
Konanani Khorommbi
INTRODUCTION
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WMIs (CMAs and WUAs) are established in
terms of the National Water Act
The main purpose is to facilitate the
management of water resources at a local
level
CMAs are established in broader water
management areas and WUAs in more
localised areas
Minister delegates functions to WMIs
INTRODUCTION
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WUAs are established to carry out principal
and ancillary functions
Functions relate to water quality and quantity
Infrastructure operation management and
Stakeholder management
BACKGROUND
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DWAF did not succeed in the establishment
of WUAs
Transformation of all IBs could not happen
within the period of six moths as required
Out of 289, less than a quarter have
transformed.
This reflects a very slow pace of establishing
these institutions.
BACKGROUND
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The national transformation programme is
being implemented progressively over a period
of years.
Limpopo Province has established four WUAs
following the Resis Programme
Only one irrigation board (Letaba) has been
transformed
There are two WMAs of focus (Limpopo and
Letaba Luvuvhu)
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The project aims to achieve five specific
objectives as outlined hereunder:
 Assist water users to comply with the NWA
 Fast track the transformation of irrigation
boards
 Provide support towards improving the
capacity of the DWAF in the establishment of
WUAs
 Promote the establishment sustainable WMIs
 To contribute to equitable, efficient and
sustainable water resources management
SCOPE
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The project must transform all IBs
Amalgamate IBs where possible
Establish new WUAs
Identify needy areas
SCOPE
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The history, nature, focus and size of WUAs
will play a role in the amount of work to be
done
Four categories of WUAs exist
• WUA operating GWS
• Irrigation boards
• General WUAs
• Old homelands (Leblwa, Gazankulu, Venda)
irrigation schemes
SCOPE
WUAs operating GWS
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Less effort will be expended
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Are involved in the transfer of water works
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They have DWAF employees.
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Are undertaking IWRM
SCOPE
WUAs operating GWS
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Have to seek inclusion of HDI to a larger
extent.
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They handle huge budgets
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They have a fair amount of capacity developed
over time,
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They understand their business to a certain
level.
SCOPE
Irrigation boards
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These are the predecessors of WUAs
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Larger ones might employ workers
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Perform certain water resources management
functions
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Some of them have loans and handle huge
budgets
SCOPE
Irrigation boards
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Represent organised users
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Have a fair amount of capacity in the business
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Face transformation (representation,
inclusivity) challenges
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Less work will be done than in general WUAs
SCOPE
General WUAs
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Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs
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The majority are new institutions
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Examples
• Resource poor farmers’ WUAs
• WUAs meant for the management of
forestry/mining water uses
• Non consumptive (recreational) use WUAs
• Combination of some of the categories
SCOPE
General WUAs
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Water user associations established for
managing forestry/mining water might have
capacity
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Resource poor farmers’ and recreational
WUAs are under capacitated
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Support to this category will vary from
institution to another
SCOPE
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Nine areas have been identified for potential
WUAs
Number and boundaries will be rationalised
Establishment must be prioritised and
phased in progressively
REQUIRED COMPETANCIES
A successful service provider will be
a multi-skilled one and be able to:
• Link policy with implementation
• Understand water resource management and
the purpose of the National Water Act,
• Promote sustainable and integrated water
resource management.
REQUIRED COMPETANCIES
A successful service provider will be
a multi-skilled one and be able to:
• Foster social, economic and institutional
development
• Have project management, facilitation,
presentation, communication and conflict
resolution skills
• Redress the imbalances of the past in IWRM
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task one: Conduct situational analysis
in the Limpopo and Luvuvhu/Letaba WMAs
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Compile a situational analysis report,
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Assessment of the financial situation of the IBs.
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Provide recommendations on the area of
operation for the proposed WUAs
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Provide recommendations on the possible
institutional model for the proposed WUAs
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task two: Establish WUAs
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Development of a public participation plan
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Facilitate public participation by embarking on
the following:
• Stakeholder analysis
• Arrange meetings
• Facilitate meetings
• Explanation of the establishment concept
• Record and translate the proceedings
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task two: Establish WUAs
 Empower the historically marginaliSed groups
• Generate interest of the marginalised
• Communicating the right of all citizens to water
and its role in social and economic development.
• Differentiate Water Services and IWRM
• Outlining the benefits of establishing a WUA
• Promoting the participation of the HDIs
• Investigation of resource poor farmers that need
financial assistance
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task two: Establish WUAs
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Preparation of establishment proposals
The hiring of the venues for meetings and
catering will be included in the Services to be
rendered by the Professional Service provider.
Build the capacity of task teams.
Transportation of HDIs
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task three: Facilitate the election of the WUA’s
MANCOs
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Compiling voters roll
Conducting voter education
Preparation of ballot papers
Liaise with municipalities IEC office
Transportation of HDIs
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task four: Development of communication
Plan including
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Marketing of WUAs amongst water users
Launching of WUAs
Promotion of co-operative governance
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Task five: Provide generic project
support
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Coordination of Project Steering Committee
meetings
Monthly reporting
Publicity of the process
Research and document suitable
amalgamation models
Research and document suitable financial
support mechanisms
DELIVERABLES
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Situational analysis report
Cluster activity plans
Public participation plans and reports
Communication plan
Summarised empowerment plan
WMA maps and guideline on institutional
models
DELIVERABLES
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Monthly progress reports
Minutes of the PSC and stakeholder meetings
Proposals for establishment of water user
associations
Stakeholder data base
Established Water User Associations
CHALLENGES
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Security of IB infrastructure
Large area of operation
Capacity gaps between commercial farmers and
HDIs
DWAF capacity
Support to HDIs (financial/transportation)
Getting started
CHALLENGES
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Relationship between CMA, CMC and WUAs
questioned
Involvement of LG
Involvement of CMA
Mistrust to the process
Diversity issues
BUSINESS PLANING
IN
WATER USER
ASSOCIATIONS
BUSINESS PLANNING
Objectives
• Assist water user associations to comply
with the Departmental policies and
standards.
• Develop the capacity of WUAs in the
preparation business plans
• Provide support towards improving the
capacity of the DWAF in monitoring of
WUAs
BUSINESS PLANNING
Objectives
• Institutionalise constant reporting by WUAs
and the monitoring of their performance by
the Department
• To improve management and operational
practices of WUAs thus contributing to their
viability and sustainability.
BUSINESS PLANNING
Tasks
 Support WUAs in the submission of
acceptable BPs
 Build the capacity of WUAs MANCO in BP
 Development of water user associations’
business plans
BUSINESS PLANNING
Deliverables
• A participatory action plan
• Reports on strategic sessions with WUAs
• Draft business plans
• Reports on MANCO capacity gaps and
recommended intervention
• Business plan review sessions’ reports
• Fifteen final business plans
BUSINESS PLANNING
Progress
 Fifteen identified per year for three years
 Three in N Cape Region
 Two in KZN
 One in EC & Free State respectively
 Three identified in the L Region
BUSINESS PLANNING
Progress
 Regional strategic sessions
 Strategic sessions with WUAs
 Data gathering
 Situational analysis report
 Informed project execution plan
CAPACITY BUILDING
TO
WATER USER
ASSOCIATIONS MANCO
CAPACITY BUILDING
Exchange programme with ORWUA
 Three WUAs visited ORWUA
 Focus on getting started
 Office establishment
 Functions to be carried out
 Government support
 Field visit
CAPACITY BUILDING
WUA operating GWS (Nzhelele)
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Has certain amount of capacity
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Are involved in the transfer of water works
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Will take employees from the Department.
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Has a large workforce
CAPACITY BUILDING
WUAs operating GWS (Nzhelele)
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Has to address to a larger extent issues of
diversity management
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Handles huge budgets
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Has a fair amount of capacity developed over
time
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Some members understand their business to a
certain level
CAPACITY BUILDING
Resource poor farmers WUAs
 Mutshimbwe & Mutale
 Do not have a history as part of or as WMIs
 They are new institutions
 Do not have capacity
 Do not have resources (office, finance, HR)
 Have no systems in place
THANK YOU