Water Use Licences — questions
Water use licence frequently asked questions
Most questions about water use licences concern timelines, cost and whether a licence is even needed. Below are direct answers covering Schedule 1, General Authorisations and full WULAs under the National Water Act 36 of 1998.
Do I need a licence to drill a borehole?
Reasonable domestic use is Schedule 1 and needs no authorisation. Commercial-scale abstraction is a section 21(a) water use and needs registration under a General Authorisation or a full licence.
What is a General Authorisation under the National Water Act?
It is a notice published under section 39, currently Government Notice 509 of 2016 as amended, that permits certain water uses without a licence provided they stay within stated catchment limits.
Can I keep using water while my application is pending?
Only if the use is already lawful under Schedule 1, an existing lawful use, or a registered General Authorisation. A pending application gives no interim right to use water.
What happens if I used water without authorisation?
The department can issue a directive under section 19 or section 53, and unlawful use carries criminal liability under section 151. Disclosing the position and running a rectification-style application is the safer route.
Does a water use licence transfer with the property?
Water use entitlements attach to the authorised use and generally need to be formally transferred to a new owner; do not assume it follows automatically with the title deed.
What is e-WULAAS?
It is the Department of Water and Sanitation's electronic Water Use Licence Application and Authorisation System used to lodge and track full water use licence applications.
Which specialist studies does a WULA need?
Typically hydrology, geohydrology and a wetland delineation study, with additional studies depending on the specific water use and catchment sensitivity.
Can you help if we received a directive or non-compliance notice?
Yes. We respond to directives, non-compliance notices and licence condition audits, and we appeal refusals or unreasonable conditions, including tribunal representation.
Related pages
Last reviewed: 2026-09-17
Written and reviewed by Dynamic Legal Services (Pty) Ltd, registration 2016/074955/07. Registered with the Department of Water and Sanitation, EAPASA applicant. Offices in Faerie Glen, Pretoria and Sandown, Sandton. Telephone 087 153 6207, support@dlegal.co.za. General information on South African regulatory practice, not advice on a specific matter — the first consultation is free.