Meet the Department of Water and Sanitation

Water, like religion and ideology, has the power to move millions of people. Since the very birth of human civilisation, people have moved to settle close to it. People move when there is too little of it. People move when there is too much of it. People journey down it. People write, sing and dance about it. People fight over it. And all people, everywhere and every day, need it. – Mikhail Gorbachev

Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children’s lifetime. The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land. – Luna Leopold

Dairy farmers are stewards of both surface and groundwater sources which means that the responsible use of water and the protection of the quality of water sources are of critical importance. South Africa’s scarce water resources are under increasing pressure and efficient, effective and wise use of water is essential if we wish to build a sustainable future.

Legal framework

The National Water Act, Act No. 36 of 1998, (NWA) provides the legal framework for the effective and sustainable management of our water resources. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is the custodian of South Africa’s water resources. The Minister of Water and Sanitation is the public trustee of water resources on behalf of the National Government and has overall responsibility for all aspects of water resource management in South Africa. Ms. Nomvula Mokonyane currently is the Minister and Ms. Pamela Tshwete the deputy minister of the department.

While striving to ensure that all South Africans gain access to clean water and dignified sanitation, the department also promotes effective and efficient water resources management to ensure sustainable economic and social development. The NWA gives the DWS the tools to gather the information needed for the optimal management of our water resources. One of the tools is the registration of water use which includes types of water use, licencing, registration and revenue collection. DWS’ WARMS Project deals with all these issues.

Water use registration

The relevant information, forms to be completed and the contact details of the officials who can assist dairy farmers with all water registration matters can be found on the website http://www.dwa.gov.za/Projects/WARMS/ .

Water use licences

The forms to be completed when applying for a water use licence are as follows:

Water Use License Application Form Water Use License Application Form Filling Guide

Raw Water Related Licensing Forms

Waste Discharge/disposal related Licensing Forms

Supplementary Forms

ANNEXURE C

ANNEXURE D

ANNEXURE E

Who to contact

For any water registration related issues use the following contact details.