Water supply and sanitation policy : white paper

South Africa's Government of National Unity has created this white paper to set out the policy for the new Department of Water Affairs and Forestry with specific regard to water supply and sanitation services. First the paper provides some historical background regarding water supply and sanitation development in South Africa and then explains the development approach which has guided policy formulation. Eight policy principles based on universal human rights and the equality of all persons are set out; namely, development should be demand driven and community based; basic services are a human right; "some for all", rather than "all for some"; equitable regional allocation of development resources; water has economic value; the user pays; integrated development; and environmental integrity. The paper outlines the institutional framework proposed for water supply and sanitation services including the role of Central Government to manage the nation's water resources and to ensure that all citizens have access to adequate basic services; of Provincial Governments to ensure service provision, specifically through the promotion of effective local government; of Local Government to provide services to residents; and of Water Boards to provide services direct to the consumer. Details of the roles to be played by the private sector, NGOs and international co-operation are also included. The paper provides standards and guidelines for basic service delivery; namely, a potable water supply of 25 litres/person/day within 200 metres cartage distance, and a ventilated improved pit latrine as well as advocating the establishment of a National Community Water and Sanitation Training Institute. The stated financial policy of Government is that services should be self-financing at a local and regional level, except that if poor communities are not able to afford basic services, Governments may subsidize the cost of construction of basic minimum services but not the operation, maintenance or replacement costs. The paper ends with an outline of immediate initiatives being taken and with a summary of supplementary policy and briefing information including such issues as women--the focus of development, water and the environment, water research, managing droughts and other disasters, and water rights and the law.