The Minister of Water and Sanitation intends making the General Authorisations contained in the Schedule hereto in terms of section 39 of the National Water Act read together with section 21 relating to (a) taking of water from a water resource; (b) storage of water; (e) engaging in the irrigation of any land with waste or water containing waste generated through any industrial activity; (f) discharging waste or water containing waste into a water resource through a pipe, canal, sewer or other conduit; (g) disposing of waste in a manner which may detrimentally impact on a water resource; and (h) disposing in any manner of water which contains waste from, or which has been heated in, any industrial or power generation process.

Large scale maps of the areas listed in Tables 1.1 and 1.2 can be inspected from 8:00 to 16:00 at any of the following addresses:-

In terms of section 39(4)(a)(ii) interested parties are invited to submit written comments in connection with the proposed general authorisations by 19 April 1999. Comments must be submitted to the Director-General, Department of Water and Sanitation, Private Bag X 313, Pretoria 0001; Fax: (012) 326 1488; email: xkb@dwaf.pwv.gov.za and marked for the attention of the Chief Director: Scientific Services.

SCHEDULE ON PROPOSED GENERAL AUTHORISATIONS

1.1. The authorisation permitted in terms of this Schedule replaces the need for a water user to apply for a licence in terms of the National Water Act for the abstraction or storage of water from a water resource provided that the abstraction or storage is within the limits and conditions set out in this authorisation.

1.2.(1) This authorisation does not:-

(a) apply to any water use taken under Schedule 1;

(d) apply to any person who does not have lawful access to any waterwork or water resource; or

(e) apply to wetlands.

(2) In the case of abstraction of water for industrial purposes the provision of section 7 of the Water Services Act, 1997 (Act No 108 of 1997) must be met.

1.3.(1) This authorisation does not exempt a person who uses water from compliance with any provision of the National Water Act, unless stated otherwise or any other applicable law, regulation, ordinance or by-law.

(2) A person who uses water in terms of this authorisation is exempt from compliance with section 22(2)(e) of the National Water Act.

1.4 This authorisation is applicable throughout the Republic of South Africa, except for the areas set out in:-

(a) Table 1.1 and illustrated in Map 1, for surface water abstraction; and

(b) Table 1.2 and illustrated in Map 2, for groundwater abstraction.

1.5. This authorisation will be for a period of 5 years from 1 April 1999 unless:

(a) amended or withdrawn;

(b) the time period is extended by a further notice in the Gazette; or

(c) the water user is instructed to apply for a licence in terms of sections 41 or 43 of the National Water Act and a licence is issued thereunder.

1.6. In this authorisation unless the context indicates otherwise, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in terms of the National Water Act shall have that meaning, and:-

1.7.(1) A person who owns property registered in the Deeds Office or lawfully occupies property or land outside the areas set out in Table 1.1 and Table 1.2 may on that property or land:-

1. abstract groundwater as set out in Table 1.3 and indicated on Map 2;

(b) abstract surface water at a rate of up to 25 litres per second:-

1.8.(1) A person who uses water in terms of this authorisation must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority for registration of the water use before commencement of:-

(a) abstracting or storing of water for irrigation purposes; or

(2) On receipt of the application form by the Responsible Authority the person will be regarded as a registered water user.

1.9.(1) The registered user must ensure that any dam complies with section 120 of the National Water Act if the dam is classified as a dam with a safety risk under section 118 of the aforementioned Act.

(2) The registered user must follow acceptable construction, maintenance and operational practices to ensure the consistent, effective and safe performance of the abstraction and storage of water.

(3) Where water is stored in a watercourse, the registered user must take all reasonable measures to ensure the movement of aquatic species is not prevented, including those species which normally migrate through the watercourse.

1.10.(1) The registered user must ensure the establishment of monitoring programmes for monitoring the quantity of water abstracted and/or stored prior to commencement of the abstraction and/or storage, as follows:-

(b) the quantity of water stored must be recorded monthly.

(2) Where it is deemed necessary, or upon the written request of the Responsible Authority, the registered user must ensure the establishment of any additional monitoring programmes.

(3) Upon the written request of the Responsible Authority the registered user must appoint an external auditor to assess the water use in terms of this General Authorisation, and to submit the findings to the Responsible Authority for evaluation.

1.11. The registered user must keep a record of all taking and storage of surface or groundwater, which information must be made available upon request to the Responsible Authority.

1.12. Any property or land in respect of which a water use has been authorised in terms of this Notice must be made available for inspection by an authorised person in terms of section 125 of the National Water Act.

1.13. Any person who contravenes any provision of this authorisation is guilty of an offence and is subject to the penalty set out in section 151(2) of the National Water Act.

2.1. The authorisation permitted in terms of this Schedule replaces the need for a water user to apply for a licence in terms of the National Water Act provided that the irrigation is within the limits and conditions set out in this authorisation.

2.2. This authorisation does not:-

(a) replace any existing authorisation that is recognised under the National Water Act; or

2.3.(1) This authorisation does not exempt a person who uses water from compliance with any provision of the National Water Act unless stated otherwise, or any other applicable law, regulation, ordinance or by-law.

(2) A person who uses water in terms of this authorisation is exempt from compliance with section 22(2)(e) of the National Water Act.

2.4 This authorisation is applicable throughout the Republic of South Africa, except for any subterranean government water control area as defined in the Water Act, 1956 (Act No 54 of 1956) and set out in Table 2.1 and illustrated in Map 2.

2.5. This authorisation will be applicable for a time period of 3 years from 1 April 1999 unless:

(a) amended or withdrawn;

(b) the time period is extended by a further notice in the Gazette; or

2.6. In this authorisation, unless the context indicates otherwise, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in terms of the National Water Act shall have that meaning, and:-

a) 6: wholesale and retail trade,

b) 7: transport, storage and communication,

c) 8: business services,

d) 9: community services,

e) 0: personal and other services.

11. "wastewater pond system" means a dam or system of dams designed to collect wastewater, conduct primary and secondary treatment, and from which treated wastewater is disposed of.

2.7.(1) A person who owns property registered in the Deeds Office or lawfully occupies property or land outside the areas set out in Table 2.1 may on that property or land irrigate with up to 1 000 cubic meters of domestic or biodegradable industrial wastewater on any given day, if the:-

(a) Electrical conductivity does not exceed 200 milliSiemens per meter (mS/m);

(b) pH is not less than 6 or more than 9 pH units;

(f) for domestic wastewater the faecal coliforms do not exceed 1 000 per 100 ml.

2.8.(1) A person who irrigates with wastewater in terms of this authorisation must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority for registration of the water use before commencement of irrigation if more than 50 cubic metres of wastewater are irrigated on any given day.

(2) On receipt of the application form by the Responsible Authority the person will be regarded as a registered water user.

2.9. Wastewater irrigation in terms of this authorisation is only permitted if:-

(b) on land that is not or does not overlie a Major Aquifer.

2.10.(1) The registered user must ensure the establishment of monitoring programmes for monitoring the quantity and quality of the wastewater to be irrigated prior to commencement of irrigation, as follows:-

(a) the quantity must be metered and the total recorded weekly; and

(2) Where it is deemed necessary, or upon the written request of the Responsible Authority, the registered user must ensure the establishment of any additional monitoring programmes.

(3) Upon the written request of the Responsible Authority the registered user must appoint an external auditor to assess the water use in terms of this General Authorisation, and to submit the findings to the Responsible Authority for evaluation.

(4) The methods for determining the concentration of a specific substance in any wastewater, must be carried out:-

2.11.(1) The registered user must follow acceptable construction, maintenance and operational practices to ensure the consistent, effective and safe performance of the wastewater irrigation system, including prevention of:-

(a) irrigation with wastewater containing gross solids exceeding 2 mm linear dimension;

(b) waterlogging of the soil and pooling of wastewater on the surface of the soil;

(c) nuisance conditions such as flies or mosquitoes, odour or secondary pollution;

(d) waste, or wastewater, entering any surface or groundwater resource; and

(2) Measures must be taken for storage of the wastewater used for irrigation, when irrigation cannot be undertaken.

(3) Sewage sludge must be removed from any wastewater, and disposed of according to the requirements of any relevant laws and regulations.

(4) Reasonable measures must be taken to provide for mechanical, electrical, operational, or process failures and malfunctions of the wastewater irrigation system.

(5) Reasonable measures must be taken to collect stormwater runoff containing waste or wastewater emanating from the wastewater irrigation system and retain it for disposal.

2.12.(1) The registered user must keep records of all wastewater irrigation and related activities, including:

(b) the irrigation management techniques being practised;

(c) quantity of wastewater irrigated;

(d) quality of wastewater irrigated;

(e) details of the monitoring programme;

6. details of failure and malfunctions in the irrigation system,

and make the information available upon request to the Responsible Authority.

(2) Any information on occurrence of any incident which causes, or may cause, detrimental impacts on the water resource quality must be provided to the Responsible Authority in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act.

2.13. Any property or land in respect of which a water use has been authorised in terms of this Notice must be made available for inspection by an authorised person in terms of section 125 of the National Water Act.

2.14. Any person who contravenes any provision of this authorisation is guilty of an offence and is subject to the penalty set out in section 151(2) of the National Water Act.

3.1. The authorisation permitted in terms of this Schedule replaces the need for a water user to apply for a licence in terms of the National Water Act provided that the discharge is within the limits and conditions set out in this authorisation.

3.2. This authorisation does not:-

(2) A person who uses water in terms of this authorisation is exempt from compliance with section 22(2)(e) of the National Water Act.

3.4 This authorisation is applicable throughout the Republic of South Africa, except for the areas set out in Table 3.1.

3.5. This authorisation will be applicable for a time period of 5 years from 1 April 1999 unless:

(a) amended or withdrawn;

(b) the specified time period is extended by a further notice in the Gazette; or

3.6. In this authorisation unless the context indicates otherwise, any word or expression to which a meaning has been assigned in terms of the National Water Act shall have that meaning, and:-

a) 6: wholesale and retail trade,

b) 7: transport, storage and communication,

c) 8: business services,

d) 9: community services,

e) 0: personal and other services.

7. "intake" is water taken from a water resource, and excludes water taken from any source that is not a water resource;

3.7.(1) A person may discharge up to 2 000 cubic metres of wastewater on any given day into a water resource that is not referred to in Table 3.3, provided:-

(a) the discharge complies with the General Limit Values set out in Table 3.2;

(c) the discharge is not a Complex Industrial Wastewater.

(2) A person may discharge up to 2 000 cubic metres or wastewater on any given day into a water resource referred to in Table 3.3, provided:-

(a) the discharge complies with the Special Limit Values set out in Table 3.2;

(c) the discharge is not a Complex Industrial Wastewater.

(3) The maximum concentration of soluble Ortho-Phosphate, measured as phosphorous, in the wastewater referred to in paragraph 3.7(1), may not exceed 1 milligram per litre (mg/l), in any one of the following water resources, or any tributary thereof:-

(a) Vaal River upstream and inclusive of the Bloemhof Dam;

(b) Pienaars and Crocodile Rivers upstream of their confluence;

(c) Olifants River upstream and inclusive of the Loskop Dam;

(d) Umgeni River upstream and inclusive of the Inanda Dam;

(e) Umlaas River upstream and inclusive of the Shongwene Dam;

(f) Umfolozi River upstream and inclusive of the Klipfontein Dam;

(g) Buffels River upstream and inclusive of the Bridle Drift Dam;

(h) Berg River upstream of the influence of tidal water; and

(i) Sonderend and Du Toits Rivers upstream and inclusive of Theewaterskloof Dam.

(4) A person may discharge stormwater runoff from any activity or premises, not containing waste or wastewater emanating from industrial activities and premises, into a water resource.

3.8. A person who discharges wastewater into a water resource in terms of this authorisation must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority for registration of the water use before commencement of the discharge.

(2) On receipt of the application form by the Responsible Authority the person will be regarded as a registered water user.

3.9.(1) The registered user must ensure the establishment of monitoring programmes for monitoring the quantity and quality of the discharge prior to the commencement of the discharge, as follows:-

(a) the quantity of the discharge must be metered and the total recorded weekly; and

(2) Where it is deemed necessary, or upon the written request of the Responsible Authority, the registered user must ensure the establishment of any additional monitoring programmes.

(3) Upon the written request of the Responsible Authority the registered user must appoint an external auditor to assess the water use in terms of this General Authorisation, and to submit the findings to the Responsible Authority for evaluation.

3.10.(1) The registered user must follow acceptable construction, maintenance and operational practices to ensure the consistent, effective and safe performance of the discharge; and

(2) All reasonable measures must be taken to provide for mechanical, electrical, operational, or process failures and malfunctions of the discharge system.

3.11.(1) The registered user must keep a record of all discharges and related activities, including:

(a) quantity of wastewater discharged,

(b) quality of wastewater discharged,

(c) details of the monitoring programme;

1. details of failures and malfunctions in the discharge system,

and make the information available upon request to the Responsible Authority.

(2) Any information on occurrence of any incident which causes, or may cause, detrimental impacts on the water resource quality must be provided to the Responsible Authority, in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act.

3.12. Any property or land in respect of which a water use has been authorised in terms of this Notice must be made available for inspection by an authorised person in terms of section 125 of the National Water Act.

3.13. Any person who contravenes any provision of this authorisation is guilty of an offence and is subject to the penalty set out in section 151(2) of the National Water Act.

4.1. The authorisation permitted in terms of this Schedule replaces the need for a water user to apply for a licence in terms of the National Water Act for the disposal of waste, provided that the disposal is within the limits and conditions set out in this authorisation.

4.2. This authorisation does not:-

4.3.(1) This authorisation does not:-

(2) A person who uses water in terms of this authorisation is exempt from compliance with section 22(2)(e) of the National Water Act.

4.4 This authorisation is applicable throughout the Republic of South Africa, except for any subterranean government water control area as defined in the Water Act, 1956 (Act No 54 of 1956) and set out in Table 4.1 and illustrated in Map 2.

4.5. This authorisation will be applicable for a time period of 5 years from 1 April 1999 unless:-

(a) amended or withdrawn;

(b) the time period is extended by a further notice in the Gazette; or

4.6. In this authorisation, unless the context otherwise indicates, any expression to which a meaning has been assigned in terms of the National Water Act shall have that meaning, and:-

(ii) "category A mine" means:-

4.7. A person who owns property registered in the Deeds Office, or lawfully occupies property or land outside the areas set out in Table 4.1 may store wastewater for the purpose of disposal of up to 10 000 cubic meters in a single dam, or up to 50 000 cubic meters in a wastewater pond system, on that property or land.

4.8. A person who owns property registered in the Deeds Office, or lawfully occupies property or land outside the areas set out in Table 4.1 may store wastewater for the purpose of re-use of up to 5 000 cubic metres in a single dam on that property or land.

4.9.(1) A person who owns property registered in the Deeds Office, or lawfully occupies property or land outside the areas set out in Table 4.1, may on that property or land, dispose of:-

(c) wastewater to an on-site disposal facility for:-

4. domestic wastewater generated by a single household not permanently linked to a central waste collection, treatment and disposal system, to an on-site disposal facility excluding onto ground; and

4.10. A person may dispose of mine residue into mine residue deposits if:-

(a) the mine residue is not from a Category A mine;

(c) the disposal is in accordance with SABS Code 0286.

4.11.(1) A person who stores wastewater in terms of this authorisation must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority for registration of the water use before commencement of storage if more than 1 000 cubic metres are stored for disposal, or more than 500 cubic metres are stored for re-use.

(2) On receipt of the application form by the Responsible Authority the person will be regarded as a registered water user.

4.12.(1) A person who disposes of wastewater in terms of this authorisation must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority for registration of the water use before the commencement of the disposal if more than 50 cubic metres of domestic wastewater or biodegradable industrial wastewater is disposed of on any given day.

(2) The responsible local authority must submit an application form obtainable from the Responsible Authority to register water use for disposal of domestic wastewater in:-

(a) areas where more than 5 000 households are served by on-site disposal sites;

(b) areas where density of on-site disposal sites exceeds 10 per hectare; or

(c) areas served by communal septic tanks.

(3) On receipt of the application form by the Responsible Authority the person will be regarded as a registered water user.

4.13.(1) Wastewater storage and wastewater disposal sites must be located:-

(a) outside of a watercourse;

(c) on land that is not, or does not overlie, a Major Aquifer.

4.14.(1) The registered user must ensure the establishment of monitoring programmes for monitoring the quantity and quality of the wastewater, prior to storage or disposal, as follows:-

(a) for storage of wastewater, the quantity must be gauged and recorded monthly; or

(b) for disposal of wastewater, the quantity must be metered and recorded monthly.

(2) Where it is deemed necessary, or upon the written request of the Responsible Authority, the registered user must ensure the establishment of any additional monitoring programmes.

(3) Upon the written request of the Responsible Authority the registered user must appoint an external auditor to assess the water use in terms of this General Authorisation, and to submit the findings to the Responsible Authority for evaluation.

4.15.(1) The registered user must follow acceptable construction, maintenance and operational practices to ensure the consistent, effective and safe performance of any wastewater disposal system or wastewater storage dam.

(2) All reasonable measures must be taken to prevent wastewater overflowing from any wastewater disposal system or wastewater storage dam.

(3) All reasonable measures must be taken to provide for mechanical, electrical or operational failures and malfunctions of any wastewater disposal system or wastewater storage dam.

(4) Sewage sludge must be removed from any wastewater, and disposed of according to the requirements of any relevant laws and regulations.

4.16.(1) The registered user must keep records of all wastewater storage or wastewater disposal, and related activities, including:-

and make the information available upon request to the Responsible Authority.

(2) Any information on occurrence of any incident which causes, or may cause, detrimental impacts on the water resource quality, must be provided to the Responsible Authority in terms of section 20 of the National Water Act.

4.17. Any property or land in respect of which a water use has been authorised in terms of this Notice must be made available for inspection by an authorised person in terms of section 125 of the National Water Act.

4.18. Any person who contravenes any provision of this authorisation is guilty of an offence and is subject to the penalty set out in section 151(2) of the National Water Act.