News from the South African water sector (May 2008)

Abstract

Letters More than one mechanism for water licensing In the article on pages 30 to 31 of the March/ April 2008 edition of the Water Wheel (The Business of Compulsory Licencing) Mr Peter van Niekerk argues strongly that using a market mechanism to effect the equitable allocation of water holds great advantages over a purely administrative system like the compulsory licencing process. During these arguments one has to take into account Principle 7 of the Fundamental Principles and Objectives for a New Water Law for South Africa which states that “the objective of managing the quantity, quality and reliability of the nation’s water resources is to achieve optimum, long-term, environmentally sustainable social and economic benefit for society from their use”. Further the Constitution of the Republic states that there is a commitment from the nation to reform in order to bring equitable access to the water resources. One cannot argue against Mr Van Niekerk’s concerns on the complex nature of the compulsory licencing process to affect this.

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