Water Services Amendment Bill [B24-2025] Tabled in Parliament
Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Water Services Amendment Bill [B24-2025] was formally tabled in Parliament on 3 October 2025 to amend the regulatory framework governing water service delivery.
In terms of the Water Services Act, No. 108 of 1997, the Water Services Amendment Bill [B24-2025] seeks to address governance challenges by clearly separating the functions of water services authorities and water services providers. The Bill follows the approval for tabling granted during Cabinet meetings held on 22 July and 6 August 2025.
The proposed amendments introduce a formal regulatory mechanism for the oversight of service providers, including:
- The introduction of a mandatory operating license for water services providers, to be issued by the Department of Water & Sanitation.
- A legal requirement for water services providers to demonstrate a ‘minimum level of competency’ as a prerequisite for obtaining an operating license.
- A statutory prohibition preventing water services authorities from appointing any water services provider that does not meet the prescribed competency levels or possess the required license.
- The formalisation of the water services authority’s role in enforcing minimum standards against providers.
The Bill aims to rectify instances where municipalities have blurred the distinction between authority and provider roles, ensuring that water services authorities are legally responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with national standards.
Click here to download the Water Services Amendment Bill [B24-2025].
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: Legal and compliance professionals must update their regulatory checklists to include the new competency and licensing requirements for water service provision under the amended Act.
- For your business: Private entities operating as water services providers must prepare for a formal licensing process and ensure that staff and operational systems meet the ‘minimum level of competency’ to be prescribed by the Department.
- For your clients: Municipal clients acting as water services authorities must review current service level agreements and procurement policies to ensure they do not appoint unlicensed or non-compliant providers, which would constitute a statutory breach.
Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/water-services-amendment-bill-heads-to-parliament