The economic and administrative implications of implementing new water legislation mean that certain elements will be most efficiently implemented through a phased process according to the social, economic and technical circumstances prevailing in each water region/catchment. Specific mechanisms will be required for a smooth transition from the present system to the new.

This necessitates that water management areas (largely but not entirely catchment based) be identified as the institutional base for water resource management. The introduction of allocation and classification systems will be coordinated area by area, with priority areas first. In the interim period, the management of water resources will continue to be administered by the National Department and different provisions will be phased in at different times.

The development of the new National Water Bill included participation of communities, water users, academic institutions, scientific councils, and Government at national, provincial, and local levels. The act took into account the different physical, social and economic circumstances that exist in different areas of the country. It will provide a flexible framework which enables appropriate arrangements to be introduced which recognise these differences while also taking into account the principle of equality before the law.

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