WHAT IS THE WRC ?WHAT IS THE WRC ?

An organisation which exists to serve the SA water An organisation which exists to serve the SA water sector. In this regard, we:sector. In this regard, we:

• Fund water-related research and developmentFund water-related research and development• Provide direction and leadership for R&DProvide direction and leadership for R&D• Actively promote application and dissemination of Actively promote application and dissemination of

water-centred knowledge water-centred knowledge • Develop capacity, maintain, renew, and transform Develop capacity, maintain, renew, and transform

the water sector’s knowledge basethe water sector’s knowledge baseCommitment to sounder, more effective water Commitment to sounder, more effective water

resource management and utilisation at all levelsresource management and utilisation at all levels

--The WRC receives its mandate from the The WRC receives its mandate from the Water Research Act of 1971, which created Water Research Act of 1971, which created the Water Research Fundthe Water Research Fund

-This Act is a member of the water legislation -This Act is a member of the water legislation family (together with Water Services Act of family (together with Water Services Act of 1977, NWA of 1998); recognised in White 1977, NWA of 1998); recognised in White Paper on National Water Policy of 1997 as Paper on National Water Policy of 1997 as “single most important assurance that “single most important assurance that necessary research will be carried out and necessary research will be carried out and human resources trained”.human resources trained”.

- Direct funding of research R65.5m in 02/03 - Direct funding of research R65.5m in 02/03 (73% of total expenditure of R90m)(73% of total expenditure of R90m)

Water-sector needs we meetWater-sector needs we meet Overcoming problems (actual and potential) related to:Overcoming problems (actual and potential) related to:

• Scarcity, variability of SA’s water resourcesScarcity, variability of SA’s water resources• Inequities and non-sustainable development of the pastInequities and non-sustainable development of the past• Increasing demands on water resources for social and economic Increasing demands on water resources for social and economic

developmentdevelopment• Resource deterioration Resource deterioration

A national focal point for water-centred R&DA national focal point for water-centred R&D Networking and communication among diverse Networking and communication among diverse

stakeholders and role-players in water sectorstakeholders and role-players in water sector An independent, objective knowledge brokerAn independent, objective knowledge broker Continuous provision (and/or renewal) of capacity and Continuous provision (and/or renewal) of capacity and

skillsskills

Goals and objectives of the WRCGoals and objectives of the WRC

andand

Our commitment to being highly effective Our commitment to being highly effective and relevant in serving the government, the and relevant in serving the government, the water sector and the people of South Africawater sector and the people of South Africa

expressed in ourexpressed in our

*Mission *Vision *Values*Mission *Vision *Values

MissionMission

The WRC is a The WRC is a dynamic hub fordynamic hub for water-centredwater-centred knowledgeknowledge, innovation and intellectual capital., innovation and intellectual capital.

-We provide -We provide leadershipleadership for research and developmentfor research and development through the support of knowledge creation, transfer and through the support of knowledge creation, transfer and application.application.

-We -We engage stakeholders and partners stakeholders and partners in in solving solving water-water-related problems, which are related problems, which are

--critical to critical to South Africa’s South Africa’s sustainable developmentsustainable development and and economic growtheconomic growth, and, and are committed to promoting a are committed to promoting a betterbetter quality of life quality of life for allfor all

VisionVision

To be a globally recognised leader in To be a globally recognised leader in providingproviding innovative solutions for innovative solutions for sustainable water management to sustainable water management to

meet the changing needs of society meet the changing needs of society and of the environmentand of the environment

Core ValuesCore Values Service orientationService orientation Care for people, society and the Care for people, society and the

environmentenvironment Fairness to all Fairness to all Dedication to quality Dedication to quality Integrity and ethical behaviourIntegrity and ethical behaviour Respect for human and individual Respect for human and individual

rightsrights Innovation and learningInnovation and learning

How is our business structured and How is our business structured and supported?supported?

Key Strategic Areas (KSAs)Key Strategic Areas (KSAs)Main business units; invest in R&D and lead (ie initiate, fund, Main business units; invest in R&D and lead (ie initiate, fund, manage) the creation, application and dissemination of manage) the creation, application and dissemination of knowledge, through research knowledge, through research portfoliosportfolios (thrusts, programmes, (thrusts, programmes, projects) projects) which serve the objectives of the particular KSA.which serve the objectives of the particular KSA.

Crosscutting Domains (XDs)Crosscutting Domains (XDs)Key integration units; draw together relevant Key integration units; draw together relevant KSA-funded/managed research projects into KSA-funded/managed research projects into R&D portfolios R&D portfolios which serve the objectives of the particular domain. which serve the objectives of the particular domain. Advocate relevant KSA projects, initiate overarching projects.Advocate relevant KSA projects, initiate overarching projects.

Corporate Strategic DrivesCorporate Strategic DrivesInitiatives of particular significance to the WRC’s long-term Initiatives of particular significance to the WRC’s long-term effectiveness and viability, which need to be strategically effectiveness and viability, which need to be strategically developed, coordinated and managed developed, coordinated and managed across KSAsacross KSAs and and the the organisation as a wholeorganisation as a whole..

WRC Corporate Strategic DrivesWRC Corporate Strategic Drives

Capacity developmentCapacity development Business development (diversification of income)Business development (diversification of income) Innovation/commercialisation/intellectual propertyInnovation/commercialisation/intellectual property

International/Africa relations International/Africa relations Impact assesmentImpact assesment

Public relations/communications/marketingPublic relations/communications/marketing

Strategic drives at corporate level, provide focus and Strategic drives at corporate level, provide focus and leadership for similar drives at KSA levelleadership for similar drives at KSA level

Key Strategic AreasKey Strategic Areas

Water resource-related:Water resource-related:KSA 1: Water Resource ManagementKSA 1: Water Resource ManagementKSA 2: Water-linked Eco-systemsKSA 2: Water-linked Eco-systems

Water use-related:Water use-related:KSA 3: Water Use and Waste ManagementKSA 3: Water Use and Waste ManagementKSA 4: Water Utilisation in AgricultureKSA 4: Water Utilisation in Agriculture

Knowledge-related:Knowledge-related:KSA 5: Water-centred KnowledgeKSA 5: Water-centred Knowledge

KSA 1: Water Resource ManagementKSA 1: Water Resource Management

This KSA aims to generate the knowledge, tools and skills to ensure that This KSA aims to generate the knowledge, tools and skills to ensure that water resources of South Africa are protected, utilised, developed, water resources of South Africa are protected, utilised, developed, conserved and managed to achieve environmental, social and conserved and managed to achieve environmental, social and economic sustainability. economic sustainability.

ThrustsThrusts

1: Water Resource Assessment1: Water Resource Assessment

2: Integrated Water Resource Development2: Integrated Water Resource Development

3: Management of Natural and Human-Induced Impacts3: Management of Natural and Human-Induced Impacts

4: Policy Development and Institutional Arrangements for 4: Policy Development and Institutional Arrangements for Water Resource ManagementWater Resource Management

KSA 2: Water-linked EcosystemsKSA 2: Water-linked Ecosystems

ThrustsThrusts

1: Ecosystem Processes1: Ecosystem Processes

2: Ecosystem Management and Utilisation2: Ecosystem Management and Utilisation

3: Ecosystem Rehabilitation3: Ecosystem Rehabilitation

KSA 3: Water Use/Waste ManagementKSA 3: Water Use/Waste Management

ThrustsThrusts

1: Water and Sanitation Services: 1: Water and Sanitation Services: Institutional and Management IssuesInstitutional and Management Issues

2: Water Supply and Treatment Technology2: Water Supply and Treatment Technology

3: Wastewater and Effluent Treatment and 3: Wastewater and Effluent Treatment and Reuse TechnologyReuse Technology

4: Industrial and Mine-Water Management4: Industrial and Mine-Water Management

KSA 4: Water Utilisation in AgricultureKSA 4: Water Utilisation in Agriculture

ThrustsThrusts1: Water Utilisation for Food and Fibre 1: Water Utilisation for Food and Fibre

ProductionProduction2: Water Utilisation for Fuelwood and Timber 2: Water Utilisation for Fuelwood and Timber

ProductionProduction3: Water Utilisation for Poverty Reduction and 3: Water Utilisation for Poverty Reduction and

Wealth Creation in AgricultureWealth Creation in Agriculture4: Water Resource Protection and Reclamation 4: Water Resource Protection and Reclamation

in Agriculturein Agriculture

KSA 5: Water-Centred KnowledgeKSA 5: Water-Centred Knowledge

ThrustsThrusts1: Strategic Research Advice1: Strategic Research Advice2: Information and Communication 2: Information and Communication

Technology (ICT)Technology (ICT)3: Research Information and Document 3: Research Information and Document

ManagementManagement4: Publishing and Publications Centre4: Publishing and Publications Centre5: Water-Centred Media and Activities5: Water-Centred Media and Activities

Crosscutting DomainsCrosscutting Domains Part of the WRC’s mission commits water research to Part of the WRC’s mission commits water research to

supporting sustainable development and quality of life supporting sustainable development and quality of life

Desirable outcomes of such research areDesirable outcomes of such research are::-A society which benefits equitably from water resource -A society which benefits equitably from water resource

development; hence we have a domain development; hence we have a domain Water and SocietyWater and Society-A vibrant economy; hence -A vibrant economy; hence Water and the EconomyWater and the Economy-A healthy environment; hence -A healthy environment; hence Water and the EnvironmentWater and the Environment-Personal health; hence -Personal health; hence Water and HealthWater and Health

A particular domain provides for an integrated view of A particular domain provides for an integrated view of research investments and outcomes across the KSAs, as research investments and outcomes across the KSAs, as they relate to the domain’s focus area.they relate to the domain’s focus area.

Water and SocietyWater and Society – Portfolio of Thrusts – Portfolio of Thrusts

Water as a shared resourceWater as a shared resource:: investigates hydropolitical investigates hydropolitical (intersectoral, transboundary) issues in SA and the region, (intersectoral, transboundary) issues in SA and the region, thereby reducing potential for conflict, and promoting thereby reducing potential for conflict, and promoting integrated, sustainable managementintegrated, sustainable management

Society’s water services-related needsSociety’s water services-related needs:: investigates issues investigates issues of sustainable service provision, such as payment for water, of sustainable service provision, such as payment for water, ownership of potable water schemes, hygiene and sanitationownership of potable water schemes, hygiene and sanitation

Gender and other limitations to water accessGender and other limitations to water access:: investigates investigates the extent of such limitations and their consequences, the extent of such limitations and their consequences, leading to policy formulation and corrective measuresleading to policy formulation and corrective measures

Poverty alleviationPoverty alleviation:: investigates the linkages between water investigates the linkages between water and poverty, the roles of water in breaking the poverty cycle and poverty, the roles of water in breaking the poverty cycle and promoting food securityand promoting food security

Water and the EconomyWater and the Economy – Portfolio of – Portfolio of ThrustsThrusts

The value of water to different sectors of the economyThe value of water to different sectors of the economy

The economic benefits (and/or costs) associated with The economic benefits (and/or costs) associated with water resource developmentwater resource development

The use of economic instruments (eg charges on waste The use of economic instruments (eg charges on waste discharges, sliding-scale tariffs) to effect behavioural discharges, sliding-scale tariffs) to effect behavioural change (eg reduction in pollution)change (eg reduction in pollution)

The use of economic instruments (eg water markets, The use of economic instruments (eg water markets, cross subsidisation) as drivers for equitable and efficient cross subsidisation) as drivers for equitable and efficient water allocation, distribution and utilisationwater allocation, distribution and utilisation

Water and the EnvironmentWater and the Environment – – Portfolio of ThrustsPortfolio of Thrusts

Environmental functioning within the Environmental functioning within the hydrological cyclehydrological cycle

Environmental governance systemsEnvironmental governance systems

Integrative activitiesIntegrative activities

Water and HealthWater and Health – Portfolio of Thrusts – Portfolio of Thrusts

Microbiological quality of water and Microbiological quality of water and associated diseasesassociated diseases

Chemical quality of water and associated Chemical quality of water and associated diseasesdiseases

Safeguarding public healthSafeguarding public health

To recap ….To recap ….

Who we are and what needs we are fulfillingWho we are and what needs we are fulfilling How our goals and functions are guided by our How our goals and functions are guided by our

mission, vision and valuesmission, vision and values How our business is structured, into KSAs, How our business is structured, into KSAs,

Crosscutting Domains and Strategic DrivesCrosscutting Domains and Strategic Drives Will further elaborate on one of the strategic Will further elaborate on one of the strategic

drives, namely, Capacity Developmentdrives, namely, Capacity Development