The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has started public consultations on the raw water use charges for 2026/27 financial year.

In addition to updating users on the raw water user process and the new proposed raw water use charges, the proposed raw water tariff increase consultations seek to ensure that the costs of managing and maintaining the water resource are covered by those who use the water, including mines, industries, agriculture, energy and domestic users.

Water use categories include abstraction use, water discharge use and non-consumptive.

Raw water charges are determined in accordance with the Raw Water Pricing Strategy and such charges are approved on a yearly basis to enable water boards and other entities to prepare their tariff determination process and consultations.

The raw water use charges include water resource management; water resource infrastructure; and water research levy.

The water resource management charges, including abstraction and waste-related activities, recover the costs associated with the water resource management functions performed by the Catchment Management Agencies.

The charges relate to charging for the activities that are required to protect, allocate, conserve, manage and control the water resources and manage water quality located within water management areas.

Water resource infrastructure charges and use of waterworks refer to the recovery of costs related to the acquisition, planning and design, construction, alteration, repair, operations and control of government waterworks, including the costs of investing and planning.

Meanwhile, the water research levy is the fund for research and development for the entire water sector, and is paid into a national Water Research Fund for use by the Water Research Commission to fund water-centred research and development on behalf of the nation.

The department will also hold sector-specific consultations on raw water use charges for the 2026/27 financial year with various organisations including South African Association for Water User Associations, African Farmers Association of South Africa, Agriculture South Africa and Business Unity South Africa.

The consultations with sector organisations will enable them to make inputs to the proposed tariff increases and engage the department on issues that range from budgeting and revenue collection to billing complexities.

The final proposals on raw water use charges will be tabled for the Minister of Water and Sanitation to approve.