Water Wheel Jan/Feb 2021: Irrigation And Water

Abstract

Water allocation for irrigation under the microscope The results indicate that some water allocations might be erroneous, but experts warn that though the work is “extremely important” , it should be seen as the first step in a way forward that calls for more in-depth investigation. For the purpose of the study, allocated water quotas were compared with crops’ water requirements using SAPWAT4, a progam designed with WRC funding to estimate irrigation water needs. The project was led by agronomist Pieter van Heerden, one of the original SAPWAT developers. A history of water allocation in South Africa Under the previous Water Act (Act no. 54 of 1956), irrigation areas were given a water use right as a water quota. The amount was expressed in terms of cubic metres per hectare per annum, for a specified number of hectares. Under the new National Water Act (Act no. 38 of 1998), this has been replaced by a water use right, expressed in total cubic metres of water for a farm or property.

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