Pretoria: The Department of Water and Sanitation is continuing its nationwide public consultations with key stakeholders across the country to determine raw water tariffs for the 2027/28 financial year. The consultation programme, which began on 13 July 2026 in Kathu, has since moved to Upington and Kimberley in the Northern Cape, with further consultations planned for the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West, and Gauteng.
According to South African Government News Agency, the public engagement process aims to establish raw water charges for the 2027/28 financial year through discussions with stakeholders and water users across the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Area (VOCMA). This area spans five provinces and includes a diverse range of water users.
The process adheres to the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) Act No 1 of 1999 and the Raw Water Pricing Strategy, which was established under section 56(1) of the National Water Act No. 36 of 1998. These legislations guide the department's annual budget planning and tariff determination.
The department emphasized that the consultations with sector organizations will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute to the proposed tariff increases. This engagement will also cover various issues, including budgeting, revenue collection, and billing complexities.
The proposed charges focus on three critical areas: Water Resource Management Charges, which support water resource protection and management; Water Resource Infrastructure Charges, which facilitate the development, operation, and maintenance of government water infrastructure; and the Water Research Levy, which funds water-related research through the Water Research Commission.
In fulfilling its legislative mandate, the department is required to engage with key stakeholders from sectors such as mining, industrial, agricultural, and energy, as well as domestic water users. This ensures that the proposed tariff adjustments are informed by stakeholder input before finalization. The final proposals on raw water use charges will be submitted to the Minister of Water and Sanitation for approval.