AN OVERVIEW OF WATER-SUPPLY MANAGEMENT IN SOUTH-AFRICA

South Africa is a water-scarce country with an average annual rainfall of less then 60% of the world average. Water demand often exceeds ava ilable water resources. Large transfer schemes are constructed to augm ent water supplies in over-utilised river systems. Twelve million peop le do not have access to an adequate water supply and 21 million lack basic sanitation. With the birth of a politically new South Africa, a new approach and constitutional framework are being established to dea l with the water problems in South Africa.