DWS Commences Public Consultation on 2025/26 Raw Water Use Charges

The consultations are intended to ensure transparency and foster public support for the determination of raw water charges.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has commenced a series of public consultation meetings to discuss the proposed raw water use charges for the 2025/26 financial year. These meetings aim to gather input from various stakeholders within the sector before finalizing, approving, and implementing the new water use charges.

The consultations are intended to ensure transparency and foster public support for the determination of raw water charges.

According to the National Water Act of 1998, the department must establish an annual raw water pricing strategy through extensive consultations with different water users, including mines, industries, agriculture, energy, and domestic users.

"Different stakeholders need to be consulted before the final approval by the Minister of Water and Sanitation as mandated by the National Water Act, which states that extensive consultation should be undertaken before an organ of State increases any price of bulk resources supplied to municipalities and municipal entities," the department stated.

A consultation meeting took place on Tuesday, July 23, at the MidVaal Water Company in Orkney, North West. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at the Loft Guesthouse in Bethlehem, Free State. The final consultation will be held at the Southern Sun Pretoria, located at the corner of Stanza Bopape and Beatrix Streets, Arcadia, on Friday.

All meetings are set to run from 10 am to 2 pm.