The Honourable S.P. Botha, Mlinister of Water Affairs, stressed the necessity of the efficient generation of new kno\\ledge and the application thereof in the development and ultlizallon of water resources and that it was of national importance that a statutory body with the necessary powers and funds be established to promote and expedite the country’s water research purposefully. Realising the important role water research can fulfil in the optimization of the country’s water resources, Parliament passed the Water Research Act (Act No. 34 of I(71) in 1971 and promulgated it on 19th May, 1971. The Act came into operation by Proclamation No. 174 of 1971 on 6th August, 1971.