Yes, depending on the size and location.
In terms of the National Water Act, if you live in the Vaal Catchment, you are allowed to store up to 2 000 m³ without a license. However, a General Authorisation is recommended.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, if your dam exceeds 100 m² in surface area, 50 000 m³ in volume, or 5 m in height (dam wall) authorisation is needed.
In terms of the National Water Act, depending on location, certain volumes of water may be extracted from surface and/or groundwater resources without a water use license (see Q3). However, a General Authorisation is recommended.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, if an area of 1 hectare or more of indigenous vegetation is cleared, authorisation is needed (this includes agricultural fields not in use for ±10 years).
South Africa is divided into 9 Catchment Management Agencies. In the Vaal Catchment you may, without a license, extract 2 000 m³ per year from a surface resource (e.g., river); while groundwater (e.g., borehole) volumes are calculated per property by multiplying allocated m³/year by number of hectares, yet, never exceeding 40 000 m³/year. A General Authorisation (GA) is an authorisation to use water without a license, within certain limits and pre-set conditions. Acquiring a GA “secures” your water use and prevents re-allocation of water to another property/organization from occurring.
In terms of the National Water Act, depending on location and type of livestock, certain volumes of water may be extracted (see Q3). A General Authorisation is recommended.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, if the allocated density (based on m² and number of animals) is exceeded or more than 1 ha cleared (see Q2), authorisation is needed. Density relates to having more than 1000 sheep, 500 cows, 250 pigs, or 5000 chickens in feedlot/broiler house conditions.
In terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, a composting facility is recommended that can handle animal (e.g., carcasses) and organic waste (e.g., manure). The facility should be placed in a strategic location with adequate stormwater control measures. If this facility handles less than 10 tons/day registration is required; if more than 10 tons/day authorisation is required.
In terms of the National Water Act, abstraction, storing, and processing of wastewater needs to be considered. Volume, location, and stormwater control measures will determine license applicability. A General Authorisation (or possible Water Use License) is highly recommended.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, authorisation is needed if:
A re-zoning application may be needed as an abattoir is seen as industrial rather than agricultural (see Q9).
In terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, a composting facility is recommended for manure and carcasses. If exceeding 10 tons per day, authorisation is needed. Blood needs to be processed according to established protocols.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, if output is more than 10 megawatts and the facility covers an area in excess of 1 ha, environmental authorisation is needed. Also, if transmission of more than 33 kilovolts occurs authorisation is required.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, if storage of dangerous goods (e.g., diesel, fertilizer, pesticide, etc.) exceeds 30 m³ – 80 m³ or transportation of more than 50 tons occurs, authorisation is required.
In terms of the National Environmental Management: Waste Act, a hazardous waste storage facility must be in an industrial zone or with a 100 m buffer. Any facility processing more than 500 kg/day needs authorisation.
Most borrow pits belong to the state and are usually indicated by a red and white billboard. However, permission must be given by the landowner before extraction may occur. Increases to surface area may be compensated financially.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, any activity (e.g., prospecting, removals) occurring in a borrow pit must be authorized (or permission gained) by the responsible party.
Agri-industrial activities (e.g., silos, abattoirs) are assessed based on personal or commercial use. If personal, Consent Use needs to be obtained from the Department of Agriculture; if commercial, re-zoning must be applied for. Note: re-zoning may affect tax payments.
In terms of the National Environmental Management Act, hatcheries and other agri-industry that exceed 2 000 m² needs environmental authorisation.
Environmental monitoring refers to the tools and techniques designed to observe the environment and the
quality thereof. For example, during a construction project the Environmental Compliance Officer (ECO) will
use available tools and techniques to ensure that:
Environmental monitoring aims to reduce the harmful effects
associated with human activities on the natural environment.
Different Departments are responsible for handling different environmental issues. The type of issue and
location thereof will determine which authority needs to be notified. EnviroMatrix can assist in determining
who the responsible Department / authority is and provide contact details accordingly.