Water Demand in the Basin

As the Orange-Senqu River basin approaches closure, water demand in the Orange-Senqu River basin is complicated by the fact that there are four countries sharing the basin, numerous sectors and services that require water and uncertainties as to availability of water - especially with respect to groundwater resources and the potential impacts of climate change. 

This section looks at the impacts of the following aspects on water demand in the basin:

• Water Demand Management
• Use/Allocation and Registration
• Agriculture
• Urban and Rural
• Mining and Industry
• Power Generation and Hydroelectric
• Environmental Flows
• Recreation and Tourism
• Conservation and Re-Use

Chapter Summary

This chapter covers the following concepts and material:

• Water Demand Management, including basin level measures, water demand policies and strategies and the potential impacts of climate change on water demands
• The regulatory environment for water use in the basin states
• The primary water use sectors and the nature and distribution of water use in the basin
• Environmental Flow requirements
• Strategies for water conservation and re-use in the Orange-Senqu River basin

Bloemhof Dam.

Source:DWAF South Africa 1998

( click to enlarge )

Agriculture is a vital aspect of water demand in the Orange-Senqu River basin. Source:Vogel 2009 ( click to enlarge )

Recreation and Tourism is a major economic activity in the Lower Orange River region. Source:Vogel 2009 ( click to enlarge )