SABI Magazine 2019 October-November | Page 33

Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN) 100 95 75 25 5 0 Phase 1&2, 202,6 million m 3 + Phase 3 66,0 million m 3 times the water price of R2.13/m 3 . This is an economic externality as irri- gators currently pay for water by quota and not by measured use. Nevertheless, more water is avail- able for alternative uses, with the potential to charge those users. The GDP effect of this water saving is forecast to be R852 million per year (in 2018 value), as measured by the National Water Accounts. A more accurate valuation of water for assessing economic benefit is the marginal value of water, estimated at R14.93/m 3 , rather than the current subsidized cost of R0.12/m3. The value of the water at marginal costs is R4,010 million per year. The discounted value, at 5% discount rate, of the WAS is to 2030 is a remarkable R36,566 billion. Significant opportunities exist to continuously improve the WAS benefits on Phase 1&2 and 3 schemes through improving oper- ations and implementing addi- tional WAS modules. Significant additional implementation oppor- tunities exist on an additional 400,000 ha in South Africa.* This concludes the series on the Strategic Water Partners Network. For more information contact swpn.secre- [email protected]. 100 95 75 25 5 0 SABI | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 31