National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)RegulationsRegulations for the Establishment of the Classification System, 20102. Procedure for determining different classes of water resources |
| (1) | The class of a water resource must describe— |
| (a) | the extent of use of the water resource; |
| (b) | the Reserve; |
| (c) | the resource quality objectives; and |
| (d) | the determination of the allocable portion of a water resource for use. |
| (2) | Water resources must be classified into one of the following classes— |
| (a) | Class I water resource; |
| (b) | Class II water resource; or |
| (c) | Class III water resource. |
| (3) |
| (a) | A Class I water resource is one— |
| (i) | which is minimally used; and |
| (ii) | in which the configuration of the ecological categories of the water resources within a catchment results in an overall condition of that water resource that is minimally altered from its pre-development condition. |
| (b) | A Class II water resource is one— |
| (i) | which is moderately used; and |
| (ii) | in which the configuration of ecological categories of the water resources within a catchment results in an overall condition of that water resource that is moderately altered from its pre-development condition. |
| (c) | A Class III water resource is one— |
| (i) | which is heavily used; and |
| (ii) | in which the configuration of ecological categories of the water resources within a catchment results in an overall condition of that water resource that is significantly altered from its pre-development condition. |
| (4) | The procedure to determine the different classes of water resources must comprise of the following 7 steps: |
| (a) | Step 1: Delineate the units of analysis and describe the status quo of the water resource or water resources; |
| (b) | Step 2: Link the socio-economic and ecological value and condition of the water resource or water resources; |
| (c) | Step 3: Quantify the ecological water requirements and changes in non-water quality ecosystem goods, services and attributes; |
| (d) | Step 4: Determine an ecologically sustainable base configuration scenario; |
| (e) | Step 5: Evaluate scenarios within the integrated water resource management process; |
| (f) | Step 6: Evaluate the scenarios with stakeholders; and |
| (g) | Step 7: Gazette and implement the class configuration. |