The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has called on members of the public, stakeholders, industry representatives, and interested organisations to submit written comments on the National Water Amendment Bill (B1 – 2026).

The proposed legislation seeks to amend the National Water Act, 1998, introducing a range of measures aimed at strengthening water governance, promoting equitable access to water resources, and supporting sustainable water management across South Africa.

Among the key objectives of the Bill are provisions to:

• Insert and amend certain definitions within the Act;
• Ensure equitable water allocation and optimise the use of water in line with the guiding principles of the National Water Act;
• Prevent undesirable consequences associated with private water trading;
• Clarify and expand the purpose of the Act;
• Extend the review period of the National Water Resource Strategy from five years to ten years;
• Introduce periodic reviews of water resource classifications and water resource quality objectives;
• Provide for regular reviews of the ecological Reserve;
• Strengthen the protection of strategic water source areas;
• Enhance provisions relating to the transfer of water use authorisations;
• Enable the reallocation of water resources;
• Expand the scope for the making of regulations;
• Repeal the right to declare existing lawful water use;
• Introduce additional controlled activities;
• Strengthen governance requirements for water user associations and their membership; and
• Advance the transformation of water user associations.

The Committee encourages all interested parties to review the proposed amendments and participate in the legislative process by providing written submissions.

Details relating to the Bill and the submission process are available through Parliament’s official documentation on the National Water Amendment Bill.

Written submissions should be directed to:

Ms Nosipho Bavuma
Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation
Email: pcws@parliament.gov.za

The Committee emphasises that public participation plays a vital role in shaping legislation that will influence the future management, allocation, and protection of South Africa’s water resources.