This indicator details the total amount of surface water used per sector (measured in million cubic metres per annum) and highlights the distribution of water between users. The water sectors include:

• urban;
• rural;
• irrigation;
• mining and bulk industrial;
• power generation;
• afforestation; and
• transfers out of the Water Management Area (WMA).

Assessment of Data

Water use in South Africa is dominated by irrigation (DWAF, 2002a) and this is no different in Mpumalanga where 46% of its water is used for irrigation. This demand is localised in a few of the WMA's, as is the demand for water for power generation. The second largest requirement for water is for 'transfers out' and Mpumalanga province is therefore important in supplying water to neighbouring catchments and WMAs. Water use for agricultural purposes is unevenly distributed throughout the WMA's. Water use per sector within Mpumalanga is provided in the graph below (DWAF, 2002a).