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National Water Act.

Country/Territory
South Africa
Document type
Legislation
Date
1998 (1999)
Source
FAO, FAOLEX
Long title
An Act to provide for fundamental reform of the law relating to water resources; to repeal certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Subject
Water
Keyword
Basic legislation Freshwater resources management Policy/planning Basin/catchment/watershed Water conservation zone Authorization/permit Water charges Irrigation Water rights Inspection Institution Subsidy/incentive Data collection/reporting Groundwater Rainwater Well sinking/boreholes Effluent waste water/discharge Servitude Waterworks Water supply Hydropower generation Industrial water use Recreational water use Water shortage/drought Court/tribunal Dispute settlement Water users' associations Classification/declassification Pollution control Freshwater pollution Gender Inland waters
Geographical area
Africa, South Atlantic, Southern Africa
Abstract

This Act makes provision for the conservation and development of water resources in South Africa. The purpose of this Act is to ensure that the nation's water resources are protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled in ways which take into account amongst other factors: promoting equitable access to water; redressing the results of past racial and gender discrimination; promoting the efficient, sustainable and beneficial use of water in the public interest; facilitating social and economic development; protecting aquatic and associated ecosystems and their biological diversity; meeting international obligations.

Full text
English
Website
www.info.gov.za; https

References - Legislation

Repeals

Water Amendment Act 1995 (No. 51 of 1995).

Legislation | South Africa | 1995

Keyword: Institution, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Act (No. 54 of 1956).

Legislation | South Africa | 1956 (1994)

Keyword: Basic legislation, Water conservation zone, Authorization/permit, Water charges, Freshwater pollution, Irrigation, Water rights, Inspection, Institution, Subsidy/incentive, Groundwater, Rainwater, Well sinking/boreholes, Effluent waste water/discharge, Servitude, Waterworks, Water supply, Hydropower generation, Industrial water use, Recreational water use, Water shortage/drought, Court/tribunal, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

Regulations on Use of Water for Mining and Related Activities Aimed at the Protection of Water Resources (No. 704).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Mining, Offences/penalties, Pollution control, Freshwater resources management, Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice to register a Water Use in terms of the National Water Act (Notice No. 519 of 2009).

Legislation | South Africa | 2009

Keyword: Water rights, Registration

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Revision of General Authorisations in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Notice No. 399 of 2004).

Legislation | South Africa | 2004

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Waterworks, Transport/storage

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

General Authorisations in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Notice No. 398 of 2004).

Legislation | South Africa | 2004

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Irrigation, Authorization/permit, Waterworks, Wetlands

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Restrictions on the use of water for agricultural purposes in the Inkomati water management area (No. 1008 of 2003).

Legislation | South Africa | 2003

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water abstraction, Irrigation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations regarding the safety of dams in terms of section 123(1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (No. R. 139 of 2012).

Legislation | South Africa | 2012

Keyword: Inland waters, Transport/storage, EIA, Authorization/permit, Waterworks

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Delegations of powers and duties in terms of the National Water Act, 1998.

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Institution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Tribunal Rules (Notice No. 926 of 2005).

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Governance

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations on financial assistance to resource poor farmers (No. R. 1036 of 2007).

Legislation | South Africa | 2007

Keyword: Water supply, Subsidy/incentive, Irrigation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice requiring persons to apply for a Water Use Licence in terms of section 43(1) of the National Water Act for the purpose of compulsory licensing (No. 734 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Water rights, Water abstraction, Authorization/permit, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Regulations: Establishment of water resource classification system (No. R. 810 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Water shortage/drought, Classification/declassification

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice requiring persons to apply for a Water Use Licence in terms of section 43(1) of the National Water Act for the purpose of compulsory licensing (No. 709 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Water rights, Water abstraction, Authorization/permit, Basin/catchment/watershed, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice requiring persons to apply for a Water Use Licence in terms of section 43(1) of the National Water Act for the purpose of compulsory licensing (No. 708 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Water rights, Water abstraction, Authorization/permit, Basin/catchment/watershed, Groundwater, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Delegations of powers and duties in terms of the National Water Act, 1998 (No. 486).

Legislation | South Africa | 2008

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water charges, Institution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act (36/1998): Regulations: Use of water for mining and related activities aimed at the protection of water resources (No. R. 77 of 2010).

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Mining, Pollution control, Offences/penalties, Freshwater resources management, Freshwater pollution, Data collection/reporting, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Extension of time period for general authorisations in terms of section 39 (G.N. No. 417 of 2011).

Legislation | South Africa | 2011

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Waterworks, Transport/storage, Irrigation, Authorization/permit, Wetlands

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Establishment of a Pricing Strategy for Water Use Charges in Terms of Section 56(1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (R. 1351).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Water supply, Water charges, Water abstraction

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

General Authorisations in Terms of Section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 (No. 1191).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water abstraction, Authorization/permit

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Use Registration Regulations (R. 1352).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Water rights, Registration, Authorization/permit

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice No. 799 of 1999 regarding the Limitation on the Abstraction and Use of Water for Irrigation purposes.

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water abstraction, Irrigation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations on Use of Water for Mining and Related Activities aimed at the Protection of Water Resources (GN. 704 of 1999).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Mining, Water rights, Freshwater resources management, Groundwater, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Revision of General Authorisation in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 (GN No. 665 of 2013).

Legislation | South Africa | 2013

Keyword: Waste disposal, Authorization/permit, Waste management, Water rights, Irrigation, Effluent waste water/discharge, Groundwater, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Extension of time period for a general authorisation in terms of section 39 (G.N. No. 970 of 2012).

Legislation | South Africa | 2012

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Waterworks, Transport/storage, Irrigation, Authorization/permit, Wetlands

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Replacement of General Authorisation in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 (GN No. 1199 of 2009).

Legislation | South Africa | 2009

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Irrigation, Authorization/permit, Waterworks, Data collection/reporting, Wetlands, Monitoring, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

General Authorisations in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 and in terms of section 21(c) and (I) for purpose of rehabilitating a wetland for conservation purposes (Notice No. 1198 of 2009).

Legislation | South Africa | 2009

Keyword: Inland waters, Water abstraction, Authorization/permit, Waterworks, Wetlands, Environmental planning, Data collection/reporting, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 212 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 213 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 536 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use in the Mvoti to Mzimkulu water management area (GN. 388 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 433 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 470 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Notice on the request to register a water use (GN. 387 of 2000).

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Establishment of Olifants Catchment Management Agency (GN. R. 168 of 2015).

Legislation | South Africa | 2015

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Basin/catchment/watershed, River basin institution, Water charges, Governance, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Establishment of Limpopo-North West Catchment Management Agency (GN. R. 409 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Basin/catchment/watershed, River basin institution, Water charges, Governance, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Establishment of Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency through extending the boundary and area of operation of the Breede-Overberg Catchment Management Agency of Section 78(4) (GN. R. 412 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Basin/catchment/watershed, Water conservation zone, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Classes and resource quality objectives of water resources for catchments of Lower Vaal (GN. 470 of 2016).

Legislation | South Africa | 2016

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Sustainable development, Basin/catchment/watershed, Pollution control, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Classes and resource quality objectives of water resources for catchments of Middle Vaal (GN. 469 of 2016).

Legislation | South Africa | 2016

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Sustainable development, Basin/catchment/watershed, Pollution control, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations Requiring that the Taking of Water for Irrigation Purposes be Measured, Recorded and Reported (Notice No. 131 of 2017)

Legislation | South Africa | 2016

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water abstraction, Irrigation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Revision of general authorisation for taking and storing of water (Notice No. 538 of 2016).

Legislation | South Africa | 2016

Keyword: Waste disposal, Authorization/permit, Waste management, Water rights, Irrigation, Effluent waste water/discharge, Groundwater, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Offences/penalties

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Use Licence Application and Appeals Regulations, 2017 (No. R. 267 of 2017).

Legislation | South Africa | 2017

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties, Integrated management, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Public participation, Sustainable use

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Government Notice no. 3137 of 2023 to update water use information in terms of National Water Act no. 36 of 1998.

Legislation | South Africa | 2023

Keyword: Authorization/permit, Business/industry/corporations, Certification, Data collection/reporting, Offences/penalties, Registration, Transport/storage, Freshwater resources management, Water users' associations

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Government Notice no. 3138 of 2023. Registration of water use in terms of National Water Act no. 36 of 1998.

Legislation | South Africa | 2023

Keyword: Land-use planning, Solid waste, Business/industry/corporations, Effluent waste water/discharge, Groundwater, Irrigation, Registration, Waste disposal, Freshwater resources management, Water users' associations, Offences/penalties, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Reserve determination no. 1559 of 2021 for water resources of the crocodile West and Marico catchments in terms of section 16(1) and (2)of the National Water Act, no. 36 of 1998.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Basin/catchment/watershed, Ecosystem preservation, Groundwater, Inland waters, Sustainable development, Water conservation zone, Freshwater resources management

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

The Water Use Licence Applications, Amendment, and Appeal Regulation, no. 3434 of 2022.

Legislation | South Africa | 2023

Keyword: Ownership, Authorization/permit, Basin/catchment/watershed, Effluent waste water/discharge, Environmental planning, Gender, Inspection, Procedural matters, Public participation, Water charges, Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Integrated management, Wetlands, Pollution control, Inland waters, Policy/planning

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations for the Use of Water for Exploration and Production of Onshore Naturally Occurring Hydrocarbons that Require Stimulation Including Hydraulic Fracturing and Underground Coal Gasification to Extract and any Activity Incidental Thereto that may Impact Detrimentally on the Water Resource, 2021, n. 406.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Coal, Exploration, Natural gas, Oil, Authorization/permit, EIA, Groundwater, Hazardous substances, Industrial water use, Institution, Monitoring, Offences/penalties, Procedural matters, Risk assessment/management, Surface water, Use restrictions, Water quality standards, Water rights, Water supply, Well sinking/boreholes

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Establishment of a Pricing Strategy for Raw Water Use in Terms of Section 56(1) of the National Water Act, 1998 (G.N. No. 201 of 2007).

Legislation | South Africa | 2007

Keyword: Water abstraction, Water charges, Policy/planning, Freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Pollution control

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Act: Establishment of nine new water management areas (GN. 1056 of 2016).

Legislation | South Africa | 2016

Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Basin/catchment/watershed, Governance, Inland waters

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Regulations no. 3204 of 2023 relating to the access and use of government waterworks and surrounding State-owned land for recreational purposes in terms of the National Water Act no. 36 of 1998.

Legislation | South Africa | 2023

Keyword: Inland fisheries, Fishing authorization, Fishery management and conservation, Authorization/permit, Public land, Waste management, Freshwater resources management, Recreational water use, Water users' associations, Waterworks, Navigation, Surface water, Biodiversity, Hunting/capture, Protected area, Resource/damage valuation

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Research Levy 2021/22. Notice no. 874/2021.

Legislation | South Africa | 2021

Keyword: Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Institution, Irrigation, Water charges, Water rights, Water supply

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Amended by

National Water Amendment Act (No. 45 of 1999).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Water rights, Court/tribunal

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

National Water Amendment Act, 2014 (No. 27 of 2014).

Legislation | South Africa | 2014

Keyword: Pollution control, EIA, Mining, Exploration, Authorization/permit, Institution, Freshwater pollution, Contract/agreement, Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX