News from the South African water sector (September 2007)

Abstract

M anaging water resources to ensure their sustainability requires concerted efforts from governments, industries, communities and the individual. So says newly inaugurated President of the Water Institute of Southern Africa, Prof Fred Otieno. Advocating the principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM), he said it was an effort which required long-term perspectives and collective will aimed at providing better lives for present and future generations of people. An especially strong commitment was needed from those serving the water sector. Pointing out the many water challenges faced by governments of the world, Prof Otieno said that water should be regarded as a finite resource having an economic value with significant social and economic implications reflecting the importance of meeting basic needs. “All too often, water is treated as an infinite free good, rather than as the precious water resource that it is.

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