Water Services Act 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997) Country/Territory South Africa Document type Legislation Date 1997 Source FAO, FAOLEX Long titleAn Act to provide for the rights of access to basic water supply and basic sanitation; to provide for the setting of national standards and of norms and standards for tariffs; to provide for water services development plans; to provide a regulatory framework for water services institutions and water services intermediaries; to provide for the establishment and disestablishment of water boards and water services committees and their powers and duties; to provide for the monitoring of water services and intervention by the Minister or by the relevant Province; to provide for financial assistance to water services institutions; to provide for certain general powers of the Minister; to provide for the gathering of information in a national information system and the distribution of that information; to repeal certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith. Subject Water Keyword Basic legislation Water supply Institution Freshwater resources management Data collection/reporting Water charges Right to water Human rights Geographical area Africa, South Atlantic, Southern Africa Abstract The Act elaborates a system of national-wide provision of water supply and sanitation services and the monitoring and control of such services. It defines the basic human right to water and sanitation. The main objects of this Act are to provide for: (a) the right of access to basic water supply and the right to basic sanitation necessary to secure sufficient water and an environment not harmful to human health or well-being; (b) the setting of national standards and norms and standards for tariffs in respect of water services; (c) the preparation and adoption of water services development plans by water services authorities; (d) a regulatory framework for water services institutions and water services intermediaries; (e) the establishment and disestablishment of water boards and water services committees and their duties and powers; (f) the monitoring of water services and intervention by the Minister or by the relevant Province; (g) financial assistance to water services institutions; (h) the gathering of information in a national information system and the distribution of that information; (i) the accountability of water services providers; and (j) the promotion of effective water resource management and conservation. (85 sections divided into 12 Chapters). Full text English Website www.info.gov.za References - Legislation Implemented by Regulations on Norms and Standards in Respect of Tariffs for Water Services in Terms of Section 10 (1) of the Water Services Act (Act No. 108 of 1997). Legislation | South Africa | 2001 Keyword: Water supply, Non-governmental entity, Water charges Source: FAO, FAOLEX Regulations relating to Compulsory National Standards and Measures to Conserve Water. Legislation | South Africa | 2001 Keyword: Water supply, Non-governmental entity, Water quality standards, Potable water, Effluent waste water/discharge, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution Source: FAO, FAOLEX Water Services Provider Contract Regulations (No. R. 980 of 2002). Legislation | South Africa | 2002 Keyword: Water supply, Non-governmental entity, Contract/agreement Source: FAO, FAOLEX Regulations no. 3630 of 2023 relating to compulsory National standards for process controller and water services works. Legislation | South Africa | 2023 Keyword: Well sinking/boreholes, Certification, Classification/declassification, Education, Effluent waste water/discharge, Industrial water use, Irrigation, Organic waste, Potable water, Recycling/reuse, Standards, Transport/storage, Waste disposal, Water abstraction, Water quality standards, Waterworks, Pollution control, Freshwater pollution Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Water Services Amendment Act, 2004 (Act No. 30 of 2004) Legislation | South Africa | 2005 Keyword: Institution Source: FAO, FAOLEX