SOUTHERN AFRICAN DECISION-MAKERS GUIDE Chapter on Health and Water By

The National Water Resource Strategy of South Africa (NWRS, 2004) expresses the need for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and the sustainability principle, “some for all, forever”, underlined by the Constitution of South Africa. IWRM can only be successfully achieved if various government departments and water agencies work together. However, working across sectors is notoriously difficult and requires flexibility, understanding and excellent communication from all concerned. This chapter will provide insight on the complex inter-relationship between the water and health sectors. The chapter will also give a brief overview of the different roles and responsibilities of these sectors in terms of IWRM. In addition, it will describe the needs and the challenges faced within and between these sectors, the impact of IWRM on the health sector, as well as the role the health sector can play at local and national levels to accomplish IWRM through effective intersectoral water governance