In a bid to tighten its grip on the country’s dwindling water resources, the department of water and sanitation (DWS) has issued an urgent nationwide call for all water users to register or update their consumption details before the looming 23 July 2026 deadline.
The extensive registration drive, which kicked off in April this year, gives individuals and commercial entities a 90-day window to declare how much water they are drawing, where it is being used, and for what purpose.
For the department, this data is the missing puzzle piece needed to ensure equitable distribution. However, for those who fail to act before the deadline runs out, the consequences are severe, carrying the threat of hefty fines or even prison time.
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Closing the critical data gaps
According to a statement by the DWS, unregistered water users present a major threat to South Africa’s long-term water security. Without an accurate database, the department and catchment management agencies (CMAs) are effectively planning in the dark.
“Failure to register water use continues to pose a serious risk to effective water resource management. Unregistered users create critical data gaps that undermine planning and decision-making, disrupt fair distribution and place additional strain on already limited water supplies,” the DWS stated.
The directive targets a wide range of users whose details may have slipped through the cracks. This includes those who have bought properties from registered users without updating the ownership details, land restitution beneficiaries who haven’t notified authorities, and lessees operating on unregistered land.
It also zeroes in on undeclared commercial boreholes and farmers who registered their water for agricultural use but have since expanded into industrial activities.
While Schedule 1 domestic users and those registered under water user associations are exempt, the state has made it clear that all commercial groundwater use must be declared.
What do farmers say?
Despite the high stakes and the looming cutoff this month, communication on the ground appears to be highly fragmented, leaving some producers completely in the dark.
For Inga Qeja, a crop farmer in the Eastern Cape, the directive comes as a complete surprise.
“I know nothing about this,” Qeja admitted, highlighting a worrying gap in awareness among some of the country’s rural producers who are already facing a rapid countdown to compliance.
In contrast, other agricultural players view the regulation as a necessary step toward securing the sector’s future. Siyabonga Mbatha, a livestock farmer in KwaZulu-Natal, believes the government’s intervention is justified given the country’s water challenges.
“We are 100% aware. I really don’t blame the government; water is a very scarce necessity. I think it’s a good thing regulations are put into place. If the government puts in regulations, they can see how much water you are using. I know a lot of farmers in our area share the same point of view, and registration-wise, we have already complied.
“We all want to have a reliable working operation. I also think complying will open more doors, and sponsors would want to invest in a trustworthy project,” he said.
How to comply and register
According to the department’s guidelines, the registration process involves the following parameters:
- Verify your registration status: Determine if you fall under the required categories. This includes property buyers who have not updated ownership details, land restitution beneficiaries, property lessees with unregistered water, commercial borehole operators, or agricultural users who have expanded into industrial operations.
- Visit a local regional office: Locate and visit your nearest provincial department of water and sanitation office or catchment management agency office to obtain, complete, and submit your registration and update details.
- Submit before the deadline: Submit all relevant paperwork before the 90-day window officially closes on 23 July. The DWS will charge no fees for any applications submitted within this official period.
Consequences of non-compliance
“A late registration fee of R300 per property may be applied to applications submitted after the 90 days.
“Non-compliance with this directive constitutes an offence. Any person who fails to register or update their water use information within the stipulated period may, upon conviction, be liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years,” the department emphasised.
Mbatha also warned that the commercial damage of staying off the grid could be just as devastating as the legal penalties.
“I think people who aren’t complying with the new regulations will suffer a massive loss, such as financial loss along the way. Just imagine if your track record shows you aren’t complying.
“I don’t think any sponsors would want to associate themselves with you. The government has every right to take legal action, so it’s a very delicate situation,” Mbatha cautioned.
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