DWS Concludes Consultations on 2027/28 Raw Water Use Charges

Posted 31 August 2026 Written by Acts Online
Category Environmental & Water Law

Brought to you by SAnews: The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has finalized public and sector consultations on the proposed 2027/28 Raw Water Use Charges prior to submitting final recommendations to the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

In terms of section 56 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) (NWA), read with the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) (PFMA), the Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, establish a pricing strategy for water use charges. These charges fund water resource management, development, and infrastructure operation.

Structure of Proposed Charges

The proposed 2027/28 tariff structure comprises three core components:

  • Water Resource Management Charges: Determined across six Catchment Management Agencies (CMAs), namely Inkomati-Usuthu, Pongola-uMzimkhulu, Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma, Limpopo-Olifants, Breede-Olifants, and Vaal-Orange.
  • Water Resource Infrastructure Charges: Segmented across four user sectors: Industry and Mining, Strategic Users, Municipal, and Agriculture.
  • Water Research Levy: Applicable to Agriculture, Streamflow Reduction Activities, and the Domestic and Industry category (which encompasses Strategic Users, Municipal, and Industry and Mining).

Approval and Implementation Timelines

Following final ministerial determination, the approved tariffs will be published in the Government Gazette and made accessible on the DWS Water Authorisation and Resource Management System (WARMS) portal.

The implementation dates are scheduled as follows:

  • 1 April 2027: Approved Raw Water Use Charges take effect.
  • 1 July 2027: Approved Water Research Levy takes effect.

Click here to access further details and documentation on the DWS WARMS Portal.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; compliance and cost absorption operate at institutional and operational water-user levels.
  • For your business: Commercial, agricultural, and industrial operations holding raw water use entitlements must incorporate the forthcoming Catchment Management Agency tariffs and infrastructure charges into their 2027/28 financial and operational budgets.
  • For your clients: Municipalities, mining houses, agribusinesses, and industrial clients should monitor the Government Gazette for final published rates to adjust bulk water procurement costing and ensure statutory compliance with revised billing schedules effective 1 April 2027.

Originally published at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/dws-concludes-consultations-raw-water-tariffs

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