The City of Johannesburg’s Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) has introduced a new borehole consent application process, set to take effect on 1 October 2025.

The process aims to strengthen responsible groundwater management, protect the environment and public infrastructure, and ensure fair access to water resources across the City.

The application process deals with all the steps, compliance with municipal by-laws and national regulations, and potential risks of groundwater extraction, such as infrastructure damage, sinkholes, subsidence, water quality issues, and contamination-related health hazards

The new borehole application process includes a reduced turnaround time, with applications finalised within 14 working days.

To register a borehole in the City of Johannesburg, you must submit an online application to the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) via the City’s website, which includes completing the necessary forms and attaching supporting documents like a certified ID copy, municipal account statements, and a site plan.

The process involves online submission, payment, and the EISD processing the application for departmental and specialist review. You must also submit quarterly meter readings to boreholemeteringreadings@joburg.org.za

Step 1: Gather required information and documents 

• Application Forms: 
  Complete and submit the application form, available on the City of Johannesburg website.
  
  
• Supporting Documents:
  • Certified copy of your ID
  • Recent municipal account statements (3)
  • Property title deed
  • Special Power of Attorney or letter of authorization if an agent is applying on your behalf
  • Site plan showing the borehole’s location
  • Geophysical survey report for borehole drilling prepared by a geophysicist, hydrogeologist, or an earth scientist specializing in groundwater or geotechnical consulting

 
Step 2: Submit the application online 

• Visit the City of Johannesburg’s EISD online portal or the designated application page. 
• Complete all fields in Sections A and B of the online form.
• Attach all required supporting documents. 

  
Step 3: Await and respond to the City

• The EISD will receive and screen your application for completeness. 
• The EISD will send you an invoice and you must pay it for the application to be processed. 
• You will receive a payment confirmation email once the payment is made.

 
Step 4: Monitor application status

• The EISD will process your application, circulating it to specialist departments for comment.
• You will receive a decision letter from the EISD, indicating approval, rejection, or a request for more information 

 
Step 5: Submit quarterly readings 

• Once the borehole is operational, you must submit quarterly meter readings to boreholemeteringreadings@joburg.org.za by the fifth day of January, April, July, and October each year. 

 
From 01 October 2025, all borehole application submissions and related administrative queries must be directed to boreholeapplications@joburg.org.za or call 011 082 7970.