WATER SOURCE PARTNERSHIPS

WWF South Africa is mobilising Water Source Partnerships to address a water governance crisis in South Africa. Research indicates that 10% of the country's land provides 50% of its surface water, yet only 16% of strategic water source areas are formally protected. These partnerships aim to coordinate action between government, the private sector, and communities to stop land degradation, enable coordinated governance, and create sustainable economic opportunities in critical catchments.

• South Africa has 22 strategic water source areas, which are critical for national water security as 10% of the land provides 50% of the country's surface water that fills dams and flows into rivers.
• Current protection and land use in strategic water source areas are insufficient, with only 16% formally protected. Land use in these areas includes 15% cultivation, 13% plantation, 3% degradation from overgrazing and poor use, and 1% mining.
• South Africa faces a water governance crisis characterized by misalignment, ineffective institutions, and the incomplete implementation of the National Water Act (1998). This crisis is exacerbated by climate change, pollution, erosion, and the presence of alien invasive plants.
• WWF South Africa is implementing Water Source Partnerships in eight of the 22 water source areas. These partnerships seek to coordinate government bodies, NGOs, private corporates, and community groups to stop land degradation and improve the resilience of water source areas.

APA

WWF South Africa (n.d.). WATER SOURCE PARTNERSHIPS. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/wwf_water_source_partnerships_web_pdf_2019.pdf

Chicago

WWF South Africa. WATER SOURCE PARTNERSHIPS. n.d. http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/wwf_water_source_partnerships_web_pdf_2019.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF South Africa |title=WATER SOURCE PARTNERSHIPS |url=http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/wwf_water_source_partnerships_web_pdf_2019.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfsouthafricandwater, author = {{WWF South Africa}}, title = {{WATER SOURCE PARTNERSHIPS}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, url = {http://awsassets.wwf.org.za/downloads/wwf_water_source_partnerships_web_pdf_2019.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }