Strengthening the environmental Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) As part of the programme of stimulating the economy and creating jobs, government has developed a programme of eighteen Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) largely focused on infrastructure development. The majority, if not all, have strong implications for water, requiring water availability for economic development, or the availability of potable water. Therefore the protection of water resources will be crucial. The Department must therefore ensure that the water related elements of the projects are integrated into the project plans and are effective. To enable the SIPs programme, the following issues have been identified and must be addressed: review of water use rights, implementation of water allocation reform, water build programmes and water pricing.