Strengthen the regulation of water service provision
Home >> Economic >> Water >> Strengthen the regulation of water service provision

Individual Reform: Strengthen the regulation of water service provision 2026 - 2027

Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

No data available for the deliverable: Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

No data available for the deliverable: Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

No data available for the deliverable: Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

No data available for the deliverable: Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

No data available for the deliverable: Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

Summary

The Water Services Amendment Bill creates a separation between water service authorities and water service providers. It is yet to be tabled in Parliament. It also enables the creation of an independent water regulator. It enables DWS to license providers, enforce standards and intervene where municipalities fail. The Bill could pave the way for more private operators to step in where municipalities lack capacity,

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No progress yet.

Actions

The bill is yet to be tabled in parliament

Are there plans?

The bill is outlined in MTDP 2024-2029.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

Goals

Amend the Water Services Act (1997) to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The Water Services Amendment Bill creates a separation between water service authorities and water service providers. In October 2025, the department tabled the bill in parliament. It also enables the creation of an independent water regulator. It enables DWS to license providers, enforce standards and intervene where municipalities fail. The bill could pave the way for more private operators to step in where municipalities lack capacity.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No progress has been made on the bill, as committee meetings are yet to be scheduled.

Actions

The bill has been tabled in parliament

Are there plans?

The bill is outlined in MTDP 2024-2029.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

Goals

Amend the Water Services Act (1997) to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The Water Services Amendment Bill creates a separation between water service authorities and water service providers. In October 2025, the department tabled the bill in parliament. It enables DWS to license providers, enforce standards and intervene where municipalities fail. The bill could pave the way for more private operators to step in where municipalities lack capacity.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No progress has been made on the bill, as committee meetings are yet to be scheduled.

Actions

The Water Services Amendment Bill has been tabled in parliament. The portfolio committee on water and sanitation has also invited written comments on the bill by 28 February 2026. After this, the committee will review submissions before scheduling public hearings with stakeholders, including municipalities, water boards, civil society groups and other affected stakeholders.

Are there plans?

The bill is outlined in MTDP 2024-2029.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

Goals

Amend the Water Services Act (1997) to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The Water Services Amendment Bill creates a separation between water service authorities and water service providers. In October 2025, the department tabled the bill in parliament. It enables DWS to license providers, enforce standards and intervene where municipalities fail. The bill could pave the way for more private operators to step in where municipalities lack capacity.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No progress has been made on the bill, as committee meetings are yet to be scheduled.

Actions

The Water Services Amendment Bill has been tabled in parliament. The portfolio committee on water and sanitation has also invited written comments on the bill by 28 February 2026. After this, the committee will review submissions before scheduling public hearings with stakeholders, including municipalities, water boards, civil society groups and other affected stakeholders.

Are there plans?

The bill is outlined in MTDP 2024-2029.

Is it on the agenda?

Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

Goals

Amend the Water Services Act (1997) to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.

Documents

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: in-progress
Last Updated:
Next Update:
Got an Update? Follow this reform
Reform Area:
Reform:

    If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

    Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    No data available for the deliverable: Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    No data available for the deliverable: Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    No data available for the deliverable: Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    No data available for the deliverable: Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    No data available for the deliverable: Establish an independent water regulator to strengthen oversight of water services

    Summary

    The proposed independent water regulator is yet to be established; the Water Services Act needs to be amended.It is expected to play similar roles as Nersa in the electricity sector.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    It yet to be established

    Actions

    • A Project Steering Committee has been formed to fast-track the creation of the regulator. This committee will oversee he delivery of a roadmap, and legislation. • The regulator will be established on the enactment of the principal act (Water Services Act).

    Are there plans?

    • The proposed water regulator is outlined in the MTDP 2024-2029. • Recommended by the advisory Regulator Commission of 2022.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

    Goals

    The proposed independent water regulator aims to strengthen oversight of water services.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The proposed independent water regulator is yet to be established; the Water Services Act needs to be amended. It is expected to play similar roles as Nersa in the electricity sector.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    It yet to be established

    Actions

    A Project Steering Committee has been established to expedite the creation of the economic regulator. It will oversee the development of a detailed roadmap and supporting legislation.

    The regulator will come into effect upon enactment of the principal Water Services Act. In the interim, the Department of Water and Sanitation has invited nominations for the Water Sector Economic Regulation Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the minister on economic regulation matters and assist in establishing the regulator.

    Are there plans?

    • The proposed water regulator is outlined in the MTDP 2024-2029. • Recommended by the advisory Regulator Commission of 2022.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

    Goals

    The proposed independent water regulator aims to strengthen oversight of water services.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The proposed independent water regulator is yet to be established; the Water Services Act needs to be amended. It is expected to play similar roles as Nersa in the electricity sector.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    It is yet to be established. As of January 2026, no bill has been drafted yet to create the proposed independent water regulator.

    Actions

    A Project Steering Committee has been established to expedite the creation of the economic regulator. It will oversee the development of a detailed roadmap and supporting legislation.

    The regulator will come into effect upon enactment of the principal Water Services Act. In the interim, the Department of Water and Sanitation has invited nominations for the Water Sector Economic Regulation Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the minister on economic regulation matters and assist in establishing the regulator.

    Are there plans?

    • The proposed water regulator is outlined in the MTDP 2024-2029. • Recommended by the advisory Regulator Commission of 2022.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

    Goals

    The proposed independent water regulator aims to strengthen oversight of water services.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    The proposed independent water regulator is yet to be established; the Water Services Act needs to be amended. It is expected to play similar roles as Nersa in the electricity sector.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    It is yet to be established. As of January 2026, no bill has been drafted yet to create the proposed independent water regulator.

    Actions

    A Project Steering Committee has been established to expedite the creation of the economic regulator. It will oversee the development of a detailed roadmap and supporting legislation.

    The regulator will come into effect upon enactment of the principal Water Services Act. In the interim, the Department of Water and Sanitation has invited nominations for the Water Sector Economic Regulation Advisory Committee. This committee will advise the minister on economic regulation matters and assist in establishing the regulator.

    Are there plans?

    • The proposed water regulator is outlined in the MTDP 2024-2029. • Recommended by the advisory Regulator Commission of 2022.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Forms part of Operation Vulindlela phase II.

    Goals

    The proposed independent water regulator aims to strengthen oversight of water services.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: in-progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.