WATER RESTRICTIONS .1. METHODOLOGY FOR TH E DETERMINATION OF TOTAL FINANCIAL IMPACT

Water restrictions were imposed in various water supply systems of the RSA during 1983 to 1987. The Department of Water Affairs and Forestry had already requested the Water Research Commission during 1984 to in itiate research into the socio-economic impact of the restrictions. Re search institutions at 3 universities became involved in the research. Since it was the first time that scientific research into the matter was being undertaken for South Africa, and an assessment methodology w as not available, it was necessary to develop it as a point of departu re. This article (Part 1) elaborates on relevant aspects of the method ology. The following aspects are addressed: water restrictions and wat er restriction measures: potential impact of water restrictions; proce dures to determine direct and indirect tangible impact; and method use d to calculated the unit value of water. In Part 2 of this article (p. 329) the results of applying this methodology to the Vaal River water supply area are presented.