OUR SERVICES
Water Use Licence Applications
Expert preparation and management of Water Use Licence Applications under the National Water Act.
OVERVIEW
Water Use Licence Applications
Water is South Africa's most critical natural resource, and the National Water Act requires authorisation for a wide range of water uses. Greenmined Environmental provides end-to-end WULA services, from technical assessments through to licence issuance and compliance monitoring.
Our water resource specialists combine technical expertise with regulatory knowledge to prepare robust WULA submissions. We manage the full application process, including DWS engagement, public participation, and specialist studies, ensuring timely approvals.
OUR PROCESS
How We Deliver
01
Pre-Application Assessment
Desktop review, site assessment, and determination of applicable water uses under Section 21 of the National Water Act.
02
Technical Studies
Coordination of specialist assessments including wetland delineation, geohydrological studies, surface water assessments, and aquatic biodiversity surveys.
03
WULA Preparation
Compilation of the WULA application package including technical reports, site plans, and supporting documentation.
04
Public Participation
Stakeholder engagement and I&AP consultation as required by DWS guidelines.
05
DWS Engagement
Direct liaison with the Department of Water and Sanitation throughout the review and decision-making process.
06
Compliance Support
Post-issuance compliance monitoring, reporting, and licence condition management.
KEY BENEFITS
What You Gain
✓
Compliance with National Water Act requirements
✓
Expert navigation of DWS application processes
✓
Robust technical assessments supporting approval
✓
Integrated stakeholder engagement reducing objections
✓
Ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting
✓
Risk reduction through proactive water management
REGULATORY CONTEXT
Relevant Legislation
National Water Act (NWA), 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)
NWA Section 21 Water Uses (a through k)
Government Notice 509: Regulations for WULAs
National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), 1998
National Water Resource Strategy (NWRS-2)
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
What activities require a Water Use Licence?
Section 21 of the NWA lists 11 categories of water uses that may require a licence, including taking water from a resource, storing water, stream diversion, and activities within 500m of a wetland boundary.
How long does a WULA take?
WULA processing times vary significantly, typically ranging from 6-18 months depending on complexity, DWS capacity, and the completeness of the application.
Can existing unlicensed water uses be regularised?
Yes. Greenmined can assist with the preparation of applications to regularise existing lawful water uses and bring operations into compliance.
Get a Quote for Your WULA
Our team of EAPASA-registered professionals is ready to assist with your environmental compliance needs.
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