Several fallacies exist in the South African agriculture sector regarding the water uses on farms that require government approval, and this often leads to confusion among farmers.
In this article, Johan Enslin and SJ Jansen van Rensburg, directors of Integrated Water Use License Application Management, delve deeper into the agriculture-related water uses that require authorisation in terms of Section 21 of the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998).
A common misconception is that only the abstraction of water from rivers or boreholes on farms needs to be authorised by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). However, activities that could potentially pollute water, as well as those that take place within certain ranges of water sources, also require government approval.
Nevertheless, a farmer doesn't necessarily require authorisation for each of his or her water-use activities. Instead, the DWS usually processes all the activities in one application and issues a single integrated water-use authorisation.
TAKING WATER FROM A WATER RESOURCE
Section 21 of the National Water Act (NWA) states that the abstraction of water from a river, stream, dam, wetland or borehole must be authorised by the DWS.
The abstraction of water for use on farms is not limited to irrigation; drinking water in feedlots, pig pens, chicken coops and dairies, as well as water for washing and cleaning these facilities, must also be authorised.
If water is abstracted from any source that is situated on or forms a boundary of the farm and is used for the watering of free-roaming livestock and game, it does not require authorisation.
However, this is only the case if the number of free-roaming animals falls within the carrying capacity of the farm.
THE STORAGE OF WATER
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の Farmer's Weekly 18 November 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Farmer's Weekly の Farmer's Weekly 18 November 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
When short-term rentals make sense
Bianca Smit, national operations manager at CFAO Equipment SA, outlines factors to consider when choosing a rental equipment partner.
The timing of onion sowing is critical
Each onion variety has a different resistance to bolting, thus growers need experience and knowledge to guide them,
Understanding cannabis and hemp regulations in South Africa
South Africa's cannabis and hemp regulations remain a topic of debate and uncertainty, particularly when it comes to commercial use and small-scale production. Cannabis experts Shaad Vayej and Trenton Birch spoke to Octavia Avesca Spandiel about the challenges that small-scale cannabis and hemp farmers face.
European seed's influence on the US cannabis market
The expansion of European cannabis seed onto the US market is not just about economic growth; it’s also about enriching the landscape of US cannabis with diversity, innovation and education,
'It's important to get the right tool for the job'
The adoption of technology is crucial to sustaining efficiency gains and beating the cost-price squeeze in the agriculture sector.
A brilliant bushveld break between Bela-Bela and Modimolle
The distinctive touch, diligence, and 24/7 customer care are just a few of the reasons you should visit four-star Tourism Council-graded Pumula Game Farm,
John Deere: elevating performance and efficiency in modern farming
In the fast-paced world of farming, the right tools make all the difference.
The naval disaster Winston Churchill tried to hide
Three British warships were sunk by German naval gunfire on a dark day early in World War II, but the heroes who fought back received only muted recognition, possibly to avoid bad publicity,
Breaking down the principles of regenerative farming
Jean Hugo, a post-graduate student at the Tshwane University of Technology, and Leon Hugo, author on environmental matters and former professor of geography at the University of Pretoria, write about the importance of regenerative agriculture for small-scale farmers, and the challenges related to making the shift.
Ectoparasite control: more tips for livestock farmers
To reduce the mayhem that uncontrolled ectoparasites can create for communal farmers, it’s best to adopt a holistic approach in conjunction with veterinary remedies,
