South Africa has had the rare opportunity to completely reform its water law since the first democratic elections were held in 1994. This resulted in the enactment of the Water Services Act (Act 108 – of 1997) and the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998). The legislation is “framework legislation” with most of the detail being incorporated in regulations. Since the enactment of the legislation which contains many unique features, the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry has engaged in a complex program of implementation. This is beginning to produce a number of very interesting documents which are of interest beyond the particular circumstances of South Africa. These will be mounted on this page as they become available.[The Author of the Water Page had the privilege of serving the new government as full-time Ministerial Advisor to the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry after the elections in 1994 when the reform process began. After stepping down as Advisor, I advised the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on the passage of the Water Services Bill and the National Water Bill through the Parliamentary process. I was also commissioned to write common English guidelines to the both Acts.]Resource Directed Measures for Protection of Water Resources: Version 1.0The development of a charge system for discharging waste into water resourcesSouth Africa’s policy transition to sustainability: environmental and water lawPolicy and legislationFundamental Principles and Objectives for a New Water Law in South AfricaNational Water Bill – September 1997Related issues and commentSADC Shared Watercourse Systems ProtocolSustainability GuidelinesDrought policy – Water issues June 1997Home Page of the Ministry of Water Affairs & Forestry, South AfricaHome Page of the Department of Water Affairs and ForestryÂ
