South Africa’s proposed water law reforms

Alistair Young, Director in the Environmental Law practice, was recently featured in the Business Day Water Supplement, where he discussed South Africa’s proposed water law reforms.

16 Apr 2026 1 min read Business Day Article

Alistair notes that South Africa is moving towards a new era of water regulation as the National Water Amendment Bill progresses through the required parliamentary processes. The Bill proposes a range of far-reaching reforms to the National Water Act 36 of 1998, aimed at addressing inequity, misuse, and increasingly strained water resources.

Alistair adds that, while these reforms are intended to modernise the water governance landscape, they may also introduce complex legal, operational, and economic implications for water users, municipalities, industries, and regulatory bodies. The article explores key issues arising from six significant proposed changes that are expected to impact stakeholders across South Africa’s water sector.

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