Licensing and production
Water use licenses for hydropower generation are not yet issued. It is related to the reform Water hydropower licensing HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. It is also part of the water hydropower licensing reform.
read more >>Blue Drop / Green Drop publication
Publish reports on the status of drinking water and wastewater systems. Blue Drop Report provides an assessment of drinking water quality. Green Drop Progress Assessment Report provides update on the performance of wastewater management systems at municipal level. The reports have been published.
read more >>Municipal intervention strategy
No or little evidence of action. HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 and merged it into OV2 wider water reforms programme.
read more >>Remove quasi regulatory function from Transnet entities (eg, TNPA)
As there is currently no regulatory body overseeing the transport sector, Transnet self-regulates, developing and self-enforcing rules agreed on for the mutual benefit of members. This type of quasi-regulation may also be used as a vehicle to set prices, permit access or restrict certain practices, butit usually lacks governmental backing. Government has not proposed any…
read more >>National passenger rail policy
Limited information HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. We do not believe there will be a specific policy for passenger rail. The White Paper on the National Rail Policy (2022) also focuses on passenger rail.
read more >>Devolution of Commuter Rail Strategy
Prasa’s centralised model has underperformed, prompting the 2022 National Rail Policy to support municipal devolution. Originally scheduled for completion by 2024, the strategy has been delayed continuously and no draft version exists.
read more >>Actual devolution
Not implemented yet. HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 and merged it into “spatial inequality” reform agenda, specifically “passenger rail” reform actions.
read more >>Develop a National Water Action Plan
The National Water Action Plan, yet to be developed, will outline measures to be implemented at all levels of government. Its overarching strategy is to ensure reforms and legislation are prioritised and sequenced correctly.
read more >>Establish a coordination structure to oversee implementation of the National Water Action Plan
A group similar to Necom is likely to be formed to oversee implementation of the National Water Action Plan, which will provide central oversight, prevent duplication, ensure accountability and accelerate project delivery.
read more >>Amend the Water Services Act to create a separation between water service authorities and water service providers.
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…
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