Water use licence timelines.
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Individual Reform: Water use licence timelines. 2025 - 2026

There has been some progress: last year government processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%. However, many complaints about long authorisation times are still emanating from the water industry.

Consistent 90-day turnaround

Summary

The department is yet to meet targets in speeding up water licence applications. The target is to clear the backlog of water applications within 90 days, but very little has changed with still many complaints from industry.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Slowly improving.

Actions

At the end of 2023, the department processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%. Currently, 75% of applications are processed within 90 days (announced by President Ramaphosa at the National Water and Sanitation Indaba on 27-28 March 2025). The department revised the regulations on the Water Use Licence Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

Targets are established but not being met.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

Progress is being made in reducing turnaround times for water applications.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Progress has been slow but turnaround times are improving.

Actions

The department revised the regulations on the Water Use License Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

As of July 2025, the backlog of water use license applications has been cleared, with over 70% now processed within 90 days – up from 35% in 2022/23. The target is 80% this year, rising to 90% in future years.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days from 300 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

Progress is being made in reducing turnaround times for water applications.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Progress has been slow but turnaround times are improving.

Actions

The department revised the regulations on the Water Use License Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

As of July 2025, the backlog of water use license applications has been cleared, with over 70% now processed within 90 days – up from 35% in 2022/23. The target is 80% this year, rising to 90% in future years.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days from 300 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

Progress is being made in reducing turnaround times for water applications. The department revised the regulations on the Water Use License Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Progress has been slow but turnaround times are improving.

Actions

The department revised the regulations on the Water Use License Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

As of July 2025, the backlog of water use license applications has been cleared, with over 70% now processed within 90 days – up from 35% in 2022/23. The target is 80% this year, rising to 90% in future years. No recent confirmation exists of complete clearance by December 2025.
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Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days from 300 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The department is yet to meet targets in speeding up water licence applications. The target is to clear the backlog of water applications within 90 days, but very little has changed with still many complaints from industry.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Slowly improving

Actions

At the end of 2023, the department processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%

Are there plans?

Targets are established but not being met.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The department is yet to meet targets in speeding up water licence applications. The target is to clear the backlog of water applications within 90 days, but very little has changed with still many complaints from industry.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Slowly improving

Actions

At the end of 2023, the department processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%

Are there plans?

Targets are established but not being met.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The department is yet to meet targets in speeding up water licence applications. The target is to clear the backlog of water applications within 90 days, but very little has changed with still many complaints from industry.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Slowly improving.

Actions

At the end of 2023, the department processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%. The department revised the regulations on the Water Use Licence Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

Targets are established but not being met.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Summary

The department is yet to meet targets in speeding up water licence applications. The target is to clear the backlog of water applications within 90 days, but very little has changed with still many complaints from industry.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

Slowly improving.

Actions

At the end of 2023, the department processed 115 of the 155 applications within 90 days, or a total of 74%. The department revised the regulations on the Water Use Licence Application (WULA) procedures, reducing the targeted timeframe from 300 days to 90 days. The department implemented the 90-day turnaround plan on 1 April 2021. Therefore, all submissions from 1 April 2021 followed the 90-day review and decision process.

Are there plans?

Targets are established but not being met.

Is it on the agenda?

Approved but slow progress.

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to clear the backlog of applications and finalise water-use licence applications within 90 days.

Departments / Govt Institutions

Department of Water and Sanitation

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: in-progress
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