Integrated water resources management: The theory–praxis–nexus, a South African perspective

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has been accepted as the water management regime for the 21st century. Despite extensive publications on IWRM as well as the establishment of the necessary enabling environment, implementation remains elusive. Through an analysis of documents of the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in South Africa (policies, legislation, reports, media releases and the 2007 Budget Vote) and the literature on IWRM, it is concluded that notwithstanding many IWRM related activities, DWAF has moved from broadly IWRM to primarily domestic supply and sanitation. This is possible because of a lack of conceptual clarity of IWRM. A conceptualisation of IWRM that will facilitate the implementation of IWRM is presented.