National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998)Chapter 4 : Use of WaterPart 2 : Considerations, conditions and essential requirements of general authorisations and licences27. Considerations for issue of general authorisations and licences |
| (1) | In issuing a general authorisation or licence a responsible authority must take into account all relevant factors, including— |
| (a) | existing lawful water uses; |
| (b) | the need to redress the results of past racial and gender discrimination; |
| (c) | efficient and beneficial use of water in the public interest; |
| (d) | the socio-economic impact— |
| (i) | of the water use or uses if authorised; or |
| (ii) | of the failure to authorise the water use or uses; |
| (e) | any catchment management strategy applicable to the relevant water resource; |
| (f) | the likely effect of the water use to be authorised on the water resource and on other water users; |
| (g) | the class and the resource quality objectives of the water resource; |
| (h) | investments already made and to be made by the water user in respect of the water use in question; |
| (i) | the strategic importance of the water use to be authorised; |
| (j) | the quality of water in the water resource which may be required for the Reserve and for meeting international obligations; and |
| (k) | the probable duration of any undertaking for which a water use is to be authorised. |
| (2) | A responsible authority may not issue a licence to itself without the written approval of the Minister. |