Revised Strategic Plan of the Department of Water and Sanitation for the Fiscal Years 2015/16 to 2019/20.

This revised Strategic Plan of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is made within the planning framework for the realisation of the objectives of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030 and more specifically the achievement of the vision of “equitable and sustainable water and sanitation that supports socio-economic growth and development for the well-being of current and future generations”. One of the relevant priority areas for the DWS over the long term is an inclusive and integrated rural economy.
The Plan, at the outset, gives a strategic overview of the water sector and water policy and governance in South Africa. In working towards the achievement of its vision, the mission (aim) of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is as follows: To ensure the universal access of all South Africans to equitable water resources and sustainable water and sanitation services, by: Protecting, developing, conserving, managing and regulating water resources; Managing, regulating and providing efficient and effective water and sanitation services; Providing strategic leadership and evidence-based policy direction to a coordinated water and sanitation sector for improved sector performance and service delivery; Building the skills and capabilities of the sector and enhancing information management to inform decision making; and Enhancing communication and stakeholder partnerships with communities and sector constituencies to advance the national development agenda.
The Plan sets out legislative and other mandates of the DWS and provides a detailed situation analysis of the water and sanitation sector. Part of this is the description of the strategic planning process. Five strategic goals are formulated: Enhanced and protected water as a resource across the value chain; Equitable access to reliable, sustainable and acceptable water resources and water and sanitation services; An enhanced contribution to socio-economic development and transformation by the sector; An efficient, effective and development oriented water and sanitation sector; and Sound cooperative governance and an active and engaged citizenry. For each of these goals, specific measures that the DWS shall undertake are formulated. Furthermore, the Plan details Programmes for the achievement of the strategic goals. These Programmes of the DWS concern administration (strategic leadership, management and support services to the department, strategically manage mine water, develop and promote international relations on water resources between neighbouring countries), water planning and information management (to ensure that the country’s water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved managed and controlled in a sustainable manner), water infrastructure development, the provision of sustainable water and dignified sanitation services, water sector regulation. Specific projects and measures are placed under each Programme.
The Plan also concerns, water quality and environmental protection. One of the sub-programmes of the Programme on water planning and information management concerns water ecosystems. This entails determining resource directed measures by classifying water resource systems, determining reserves, conducting resource quality assessments and determining resource directed measures by developing pollution control guidelines and rehabilitation measures and protocols. Appendix B of this Plan contains descriptions for strategic objectives. The strategic objective entails targeted rural development initiatives that support smallholder farmers Equitable water allocation and availability for socio-economic development and more specifically targets rural development initiatives aimed at especially the emerging black farmers by addressing water-related and food insecurity challenges.