To provide for fundamental reform of the law relating to water resources; to repeal certain laws; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Latest Developments:

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation and Amalgamation of Sunday's River and Dwars Nkuzi Irrigation Board into Biggarsberg Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act under “Transformation of Irrigation Boards into Associations”, as per Notice No. 5552 of GG51556, dated 15 November 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with an Erratum Notice - amending Notice No. 3981 of 20 October 2023 – correction of title Mpofana Water User Association to Karkloof Water User Association under “Transformation of Irrigation Boards into Associations”, as per Notice No. 5444 of GG51414, dated 18 October 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Vaal-Orange Water Management Area - Upper Vaal Catchment: Prohibiting and Limiting the use of water in terms of Item 6 of Schedule 3 to the National Water Act 1998 from the Ash and the Liebenbergsvlei Rivers for Agricultural purposes during the months of October 2024 to March 2024, as per Notice No. 5223 of GG51271, dated 20 September 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Caledon-Modder Subsystem – Limiting the use of water in terms of Item 6 of Schedule 3 of the National Water Act 1998 for Urban and Irrigation purposes from the dams within the Caledon-Modder Subsystem, as per Notice No. 5200 of GG51205, dated 13 September 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Establishment of the Vaal Gamagara Water User Association in terms of Section 92(1)(4) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4972 of GG50825, dated 14 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation and Amalgamation of Darling Bridge and Wagenbooms River Irrigation Boards into the Upper Breede River Water User Association in terms of Section 98(1) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4971 of GG50825, dated 14 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation and Amalgamation of Berg River Irrigation Board, Lower Berg River Irrigation Board and Berg River main Irrigation Boards into Berg River Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4970 of GG50825, dated 14 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Baden Irrigation Board into Baden Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4945 of GG50766, dated 7 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Brandwag Irrigation Board into Brandwag Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4944 of GG50766, dated 7 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Titus River Irrigation Board into Titus River Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4943 of GG50766, dated 7 June 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Water Management Area (WMA 7) in the Eastern Cape Province: Limiting the use of water in terms of Section 6 of Schedule 3 of the National Water Act 1998; for Urban, Agricultural, and Industrial (including Mining) Purposes, as per Notice No. 4800 of GG50645, dated 10 May 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Water Management Area (WMA 7) in the Eastern Cape Province: Limiting the use of water in terms of Section 6 of Schedule 3 of the National Water Act 1998; for Urban, Agricultural, and Industrial (including Mining) Purposes, as per Notice No. 4762 of GG50569, dated 26 April 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Caledon-Modder Subsystem – Limiting the use of water in terms of item 6 of Schedule 3 of the National Water Act of 1998 for Urban and Irrigation purposes from the dams within the Caledon-Modder Subsystem, as per Notice No. 4507 of GG50292, dated 15 March 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Upington IB Straussburg, Olyvenhoutsdrift-Suid, Loisvale, Blaauwsekop, Swartkop, Steynsvoor, and Kanoneiland Irrigation Boards into Upington Islands Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4506 of GG50292, dated 15 March 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Upington IB Straussburg, Olyvenhoutsdrift-Suid, Loisvale, Blaauwsekop, Swartkop, Steynsvoor, and Kanoneiland Irrigation Boards into Upington Islands Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4505 of GG50292, dated 15 March 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with Transformation of Dwariga Irrigation Board into Dwariga Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4462 of GG50243, dated 1 March 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation and Amalgamation of the Bossieveld, Bo-Doorn River, Doornrivier, Moddergat & Stettyn Irrigation Boards Irrigation Boards into Bossieveld Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4461 of GG50243, dated 1 March 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Raw Water Use Charges for the 2024/25 Financial Year, as per Notice No. 4266 of GG50020, dated 22 January 2024.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Tierpoort Irrigation Boards into Tierpoort Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. R.4224 of GG49944, dated 29 December 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the General Authorisations in terms of Section 39 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 for Water Uses as defined in Section 21(c) or Section 21(i), as per Notice No. 4167 of GG49833, dated 8 December 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Egmont Irrigation Board into Vanstadensrus Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4086 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of uMzikhulwana Irrigation Board into uMzikhulwana Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4085 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Pholela Irrigation Board into Pholela Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4084 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Mvoti Irrigation Board into Upper Mvoti Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4083 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Mooi River Irrigation Board into Mpofana Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4082 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Underberg Irrigation Board into Underberg Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4081 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation and Amalgamation of Vyeboom & Houtveld Irrigation Board into Vyeboom Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4080 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Buffelsjagriver Irrigation Board into Buffelsjagriver Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4079 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Smalblaar Irrigation Board into Smalblaar Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4078 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Cogmanskloof Irrigation Board into Cogmanskloof Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 4077 of GG49720, dated 17 November 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Disestablishment of Hoeko Irrigation Board in Western Cape Province, as per Notice No. 3983 of GG49518, dated 20 October 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Ngwagwane Irrigation Board into Ngwagwane Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the the Act, as per Notice No. 3982 of GG49518, dated 20 October 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Karkloof Irrigation Board into Karkloof Water User Association in terms of Section 98(6) of the Act, as per Notice No. 3981 of GG49518, dated 20 October 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated with the Transformation of Gamtoos Irrigation Board into Gamtoos Water User Association of Section 92(1) of Act, as per Notice No. 3947 of GG49407, dated 6 October 2023.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been updated to publish limiting use of water in terms of Sec 6 of Schedule 3 of the Act for the Water Management area of Mzimvubu-Tsitikamma Water Management Area (WMA7), as per Notice No. 1220 of Government Gazette 43900, dated 13 November 2020.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been updated to record the Extension and Alignment of Compliance Period, as per Notice No. 1010 of Government Gazette 43726, dated 18 September 2020.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been updated to give notice to install water measuring devices, as per Notice No. 34 of Government Gazette 42956, dated 17 January 2020.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been authorized for the Continued Application of the General Authorisation Published in terms of Section 39, Government Gazette 42576, Notice 383, dated 12 July 2019.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been updated to issue instructions to Irrigation Boards & Water Users Associations to install water measuring devices, as per Notice No. 141 of Government Gazette 41456, dated 23 February 2018.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has hereby been updated to publish Regulations requiring that the taking of water for irrigation purposes be measured, recorded and reported, as per Notice No. 131 of Government Gazette 40621, dated 17 February 2017.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been amended by Revision of General Authorisation for the Taking and Storing of Water, Notice 538 of 2016, Government Gazette 40243, dated 2 September 2016.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been updated by the Revision of General Authorisations in terms of Section 39, Government Gazette 36820, Notice 665, dated 6 September 2013.

The National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) has been amended by Government Gazette 33458, dated 17 August 2010 – Notice 711; Restrictions on the use of agricultural water within quaternary drainage areas K20A, K1 DE, K10F and K1 DB in the Western Cape Province

This Act has been updated with Regulation No R. 810 in Government Gazette No. 33541 dated 17 September 2010.

The Act has been updated with two Notices regarding "Extension of Time Period of General Authorisations in term of Section 39", published in Government Gazette No. 32013 dated 20 March 2009.

The National Water Act has been updated by the addition of Regulations published in Government Gazette No. 30427 dated 31 October 2007.

Various amendments have been made to the Act by the National Water Amendment Act, 1999, as published in Gazette 20706 and came into operation on the 6 December 1999.

The Establishment of a Pricing Strategy for Raw Water Use Charges, dated 12 November 1999, has been added to the Act, as published in Gazette 20615.As well as the Regulations requiring that a Water Use be Registered, as published in Gazette 20606, dated 12 November 1999.

Notice No. 1191 dated 8 October 1999, regarding General Authorisations in terms of Section 36 of the Act, has been added to the Act, as published in Government Gazette 20526.

It has been determined that the 1st of October 1999 is the date on which the remaining sections of the Act will came into effect, namely, sections 33(4), 37, 38, 40-42, 56-60 and 163(1) (the remaining items of Schedule 7).

NB: The period for transformation into a Water User Association by Irrigation Boards in terms of section 98(4) of the National Water Act, 1998 has been extended from 31 August 1999 to 29 February 2000.