The genus Potamonautes s.l. was revised by Cumberlidge and Daniels (2022) who reduced the number of species assissigned to this genus (which is now treated as Potamonautes s.s.). In that work, this revised genus was assigned to the tribe Potamonautini in the subfamily Potamonautinae in the revised family Potamonautidae.

This species is assessed as Least Concern. Potamonautes warreni is endemic to southern Africa and is present in the Vaal and Orange River systems and is known from more than 30 locations across its range. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 671,272 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 148 km². Its habitat may be impacted by residential and industrial pollution, however, the species is suspected to have a stable population trend based on recent collections from new localities made in the past five years coupled with a strong representation in museum collections dating back over 100 years. Despite this, there is no direct information on the number of mature individuals, or population fluctuations. Similarly, there is little information on trends in its habitat quality, and hence monitoring is needed to detect if the species is being impacted significantly by pollution.

This species is a southern African endemic, occurring in South Africa and Namibia and is present in the Orange and Vaal River systems in Gauteng, North West, Free State, and Northern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Daniels et al. (2001) described the distribution of P. warreni in detail, updating earlier accounts provided by Barnard (1935).

This large-bodied river species is widespread and abundant. However, to date, no population monitoring has been conducted.

This species is found under boulders in the middle and lower reaches of large and medium rivers.

The species is possibly impacted by habitat loss and degradation due to human settlement expansion and industrial activities close to large rivers and their tributaries. However, no significant declines have been noted, but the population levels of the species need to be monitored to assess the levels of threats from habitat degradation and from water pollution from residential and industrial activities close to the major rivers.

No conservation measures are known to be in place for this species.