Major economic, political, social and demographic changes are taking place in South Africa that will have an impact on water quality. As it has done in the past, the Department of Water Affairs, faced with the gradual deterioration of water quality and the expected changes described has decided to adapt its approach to water quality management to ensure that it will continue to meet its obligation, namely to ensure that water of an acceptable quality for recognized water uses such as urban, industrial, agricultural, recreational and environmental conservation continues to be available.