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Water Services Act, 1997 (Act No. 108 of 1997)

Chapter II : Standards and Tariffs

9. Standards

 

(1) The Minister may, from time to time, prescribe compulsory national standards relating to—
(a) the provision of water services;
(b) the quality of water taken from or discharged into any water services or water resource system;
(c) the effective and sustainable use of water resources for water services;
(d) the nature, operation, sustainability, operational efficiency and economic viability of water services;
(e) requirements for persons who install and operate water services works; and
(f) the construction and functioning of water services works and consumer installations.

 

(2) The standards prescribed under subsection (1) may differentiate between—
(a) different users of water services; and
(b) different geographic areas, taking into account, among other factors, the socio-economic and physical attributes of each area.

 

(3) In prescribing standards under subsection (1), the Minister must consider—
(a) the need for everyone to have a reasonable quality of life;
(b) the need for equitable access to water services;
(c) the operational efficiency and economic viability of water services;
(d) any norms and standards for applicable tariffs for water services;
(e) any other laws or any standards set by other governmental authorities;
(f) any guidelines recommended by official standard-setting institutions;
(g) any impact which the water services might have on the environment; and
(h) the obligations of the National Government as custodian of water resources.

 

(4) Every water services institution must comply with the standards prescribed under subsection (1).