National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998).

Country/Territory: South Africa
Document type: Legislation
Date: 1998
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 Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution Irrigation Right to water 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 Gender and natural resources
Geographical area: Africa, Southern Africa

Abstract: 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 diver
Full text: English
Website: www.info.gov.za

References - Legislation

Repeals

Water Act (No. 54 of 1956).

Legislation | South Africa | 1956 (1994) | Repealed

Keyword: Basic legislation, Water conservation zone, Authorization/permit, Water charges, Freshwater quality/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

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Implemented by

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

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

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Keyword: Waste disposal, Freshwater resources management, Water rights, Inland waters, Groundwater, Water abstraction, Pollution control, Freshwater quality/freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Transport/storage, Authorization/permit, Registration, 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, Bed, Bank, Authorization/permit, Waterworks, Wetlands, Environmental planning, Data collection/reporting

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

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

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

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

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, Bank, Bed, Offences/penalties

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

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

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 | Repealed

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

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

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 quality/freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge

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 quality/freshwater pollution, Data collection/reporting, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste

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

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

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

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

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

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

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 quality/freshwater pollution

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

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

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2005

Keyword: Court/tribunal, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2000

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

Water Use Registration Regulations (R. 1352).

Legislation | South Africa | 1999

Keyword: Water rights, Registration, Authorization/permit

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 quality/freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Sustainable development, Basin/catchment/watershed

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, Water rights, Irrigation, Effluent waste water/discharge, Groundwater, Pollution control, Freshwater quality/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 quality/freshwater pollution, Effluent waste water/discharge, Authorization/permit, Registration, Offences/penalties, Integrated management, Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings, Public participation, Sustainable use

Source: FAO, FAOLEX

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

Legislation | South Africa | 2010

Keyword: Public water, Water shortage/drought, Classification/declassification

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

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

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: 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 quality/freshwater pollution, Water quality standards, Sustainable development, Basin/catchment/watershed

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

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

Water Act (No. 54 of 1956).

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

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).

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

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).

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

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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Water Use Registration Regulations (R. 1352).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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

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

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

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