Water Use Licence
Application Support

A Water Use Licence Application can be one of the most important approval steps for a project. If water uses are missed, incorrectly scoped, or poorly supported, the project can face serious delays, compliance risk, or refusal.

CNT Consulting assists clients with Water Use Licence Applications in terms of the National Water Act 36 of 1998 and the requirements of the Department of Water and Sanitation.

When a WULA May Be Required

A Water Use Licence may be required where a project involves activities such as taking water, storing water, impeding or diverting flow, discharging waste or water containing waste, altering a watercourse, disposing of waste in a way that may affect water resources, or any other Section 21 water use.

How CNT Consulting Helps

  • Project screening to identify applicable Section 21 water uses
  • Advice on whether a Water Use Licence, General Authorisation, or Schedule 1 use may apply
  • Regulatory strategy and alignment with project timelines
  • Coordination of technical studies such as hydrology, hydrogeology, wetland, aquatic ecology, water balance, stormwater, geochemical, AMD, and engineering inputs where required
  • Compilation of WULA forms and supporting reports
  • Integrated Water and Wastewater Management Plans where required
  • Public participation and Interested and Affected Party management
  • Submission to the Department of Water and Sanitation
  • Authority liaison, query responses, and application tracking
  • Post-approval licence condition interpretation, monitoring, reporting, amendments, renewals, or transfers

Best Time to Get Help

The best time to involve CNT Consulting is during project feasibility or early planning, before construction or any water-related activity starts. Early screening helps prevent missed authorisations, duplicated studies, and avoidable delays.

Plan your water use licence pathway before it becomes a project bottleneck.