General Authorisations in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act, 1998 and in terms of section 21(c) and (i).

This Notice of the Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation, authorised in terms of section 63 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, does generally authorise, subject to the provisions contained in this Notice, all persons or any category of persons to use water in terms of section 39(1) of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 for uses specified in section 21 (c) or section 21 (i). This General Authorisation replaces the need for a water user to apply for a licence under section 40 of the National Water Act 36 of 1998, provided that the water use is within the limits and conditions of this General Authorisation. Uses covered by paragraph (c) and (i) are about altering watercourses and its flow. This Notice does not apply to specified water uses, for example for wetlands. It also specifies of lawful owners or occupiers of land in respect of waterworks or water use on that land, sets out conditions for water uses as contemplated in section 21 including rehabilitation of wetlands, record keeping, reporting and monitoring, rules for new water users, and inspections.