Have Your Say: National Water Amendment Bill (B1 - 2026)
The Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation invites interested people and stakeholders to submit written comments on the National Water Amendment Bill (B1 – 2026).
The Bill seek to amend the National Water Act, 1998, so as to insert and amend certain definitions; to ensure equitable water allocation and optimise the use of water in support of the guiding principles of the National Water Act; to prohibit undesirable consequences of private water trading; to further provide for the purpose of the Act; to provide for the review period of the national water resource strategy to be increased to 10 years; to provide for the periodic review of the determination of a class of a water resource and water resource quality objectives; to provide for the periodic review of the Reserve; to further provide for the protection of water source areas; to further provide for the transfer of water use authorisations; to provide for the reallocation of water; to further provide for the making of regulations; to repeal the right to declare an existing lawful water use; to provide for additional controlled activities; to further regulate the governance matters of water user associations and their membership thereof; to provide for the transformation of water user associations; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
Please include in your written comments a clear indication of whether you support the Bill or not, and state whether you would be interested in making an oral presentation to the Committee. Enquiries, as well as written submissions, can be sent to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation (Attention: Ms Nosipho Bavuma – Committee Secretary) by email: PCWS@parliament.gov.za
The closing date for submissions is 30 July 2026. Copies of the Bill can be obtained from www.parliament.gov.za .
Issued by Mr LJ Basson(MP): Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation.
Arrange a tour