The Legal and Institutional Frameworks in the South African Water Sector course provides a comprehensive overview of the laws, policies, institutions, and strategic frameworks that govern water resources and services in South Africa. Designed for professionals across the water value chain, this course explores the full legislative environment, linking policy with practice to promote effective water governance and sustainable resource management.
Learners will engage with key legislative instruments such as the National Water Act, Water Services Act, SANS 241:2015 Drinking Water Standard, and regulations including Regulation 5 and Regulation 3630. The course also explains the Blue and Green Drop Certification Programmes, water use licensing processes, and the National Water Resources Strategy, ensuring students understand compliance obligations and performance benchmarks.
The course dives into the roles and responsibilities of water resource and water services institutions, including catchment management agencies and local water service authorities. Students will also explore the Water and Sanitation Master Plan, catchment-level regulation, sludge management guidelines, and the broader challenges facing the sector—from ecological degradation to infrastructure backlogs.
Ideal for professionals in catchment management, environmental health, IDP planning, water quality, and governance, this course supports integrated thinking and collaborative approaches to managing South Africa’s most critical resource. Whether you’re in government, consulting, or community-based organisations, this course strengthens your ability to work within the regulatory framework while driving positive change in the water and sanitation sector.
