Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA)

The vision of the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Area (IUCMA) is to supply sufficient, equitable and quality water resources for all in the Inkomati-Usuthu Water Management Area. The mission of the IUCMA is to efficiently manage water resources by empowering our stakeholders in our quest to contribute towards transformation by promoting equal access to water and protecting our environment.

The Agency supports the cooperative management of the Inkomati basin as an internationally shared watercourse. The decision-making environment of the Agency, including delegated functions, enables collaborative action towards equity, sustainability and efficiency in a continually evolving socio-economic system. The Agency manages the resources adaptively, cooperatively and progressively to achieve social, economic and environmental justice, and promote healthy living.

The Agency’s functions are derived from the National Water Act 36 of 1998. They are, among others, to: s80-investigate and advise interested persons on the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of the water resources in its water management area; develop a catchment management strategy; coordinate the related activities of water users and of the water management institutions within its water management area; promote the coordination of its implementation with the implementation of any applicable development plan; promote community participation in the protection, use, development, conservation, management and control of the water resources in its water management area; s19&20-prevent and remedy effects of pollution; and control emergency incidents in respect of water resource pollution or potential water resource pollution. Other delegated functions include; S25, 33, 34, 35, 40, 41, 42, 44, 53, 54, 55, 57 and 58.