Do I need a licence for a borehole at my house?

Domestic use of reasonable quantities on your own property is generally 'Schedule 1' use that does not need a licence, but municipal by-laws may still require registration of the borehole. Check with your municipality and the department.

What is a General Authorisation?

A published notice that allows a category of water use up to set volumes in specified catchments without an individual licence, subject to registration and conditions.

Can I pump from the river running through my farm?

Only if the use is registered as an existing lawful use, falls under a General Authorisation, or is licensed. Rivers are a public resource.

What about dewatering a construction site?

Dewatering and its discharge are water uses. Deal with them in the application rather than after an inspection.

Environmental

Temporary Water Use Authorisation

In plain English

Taking water from a river, borehole or dam, storing it, or discharging into a water resource is regulated by the National Water Act 36 of 1998. Short-term needs are covered by a General Authorisation or a temporary water use licence from the Department of Water and Sanitation.

View requirements Visit official website

Who needs this permit

Farmers, contractors, event organisers, drillers, miners and developers who need to abstract, store, divert or discharge water for a limited period.

When is it required

Before the water use starts. Unlawful water use can result in a directive to stop and a claim for the cost of rehabilitation.

Eligibility

The proposed use falls within a General Authorisation threshold, or a licence can be motivated
The use will not unlawfully affect other users or the resource's ecological reserve
You have lawful access to the property where the water use occurs

Documents you need before applying

Water use registration or licence application on the department's forms
Property details, coordinates and a locality plan
Description and volume of the intended water use
Technical report or hydrological assessment for larger uses
Proof of public participation for licence applications
Water quality monitoring plan for discharges

Download a printable checklist

A one-page PDF of everything you need to bring with you. Tick items off before you go.

How to apply — step by step

1
Identify your water use category
Section 21 of the National Water Act lists water uses — taking, storing, impeding, discharging and others. Your category determines whether registration, a General Authorisation or a full licence applies.
2
Check the General Authorisation thresholds
Small volumes in some catchments are permitted under a published General Authorisation, which only requires registration rather than a licence.
3
Register or apply through the department
Applications go to the regional office of the Department of Water and Sanitation, increasingly through its electronic system.
4
Provide the technical motivation
Larger abstractions and any discharge normally need a specialist report on availability and impact.
5
Comply with the conditions and keep records
Meter readings, monitoring results and annual returns are standard licence conditions.

Where, how much, how long

Where to apply

The regional office of the Department of Water and Sanitation for the catchment concerned.

Fees

Application processing costs plus water use charges based on volume and sector. Specialist studies are the main cost for licence applications.

Processing time

Registration under a General Authorisation is relatively quick; a full water use licence commonly takes many months.

Validity

The period stated in the authorisation — General Authorisations follow the published notice period, licences can run for years.

Renewal

Apply for renewal or amendment before the authorisation lapses.

Common mistakes to avoid

Drilling and using a borehole without checking the catchment's General Authorisation limits
Discharging construction or wash water into a stormwater drain or river without authorisation
Assuming a municipal water connection covers river abstraction — it does not
Failing to submit monitoring returns

Tips to speed up your application

Install a meter and log readings from day one
Get the catchment's current General Authorisation notice before assuming a threshold
Keep proof of registration on site for inspectors