Regulation of the Establishment and Functioning of the River Basin Authorities.

The Regulation sets provisions to govern the establishment, structure, and activities of the fundamental and secondary river basin authorities. The Regulation consists of 34 articles, which divided into six Chapters: General Provisions (I); River basin Authorities (II); Secondary River basin Authorities (III); Special Provisions (IV); Financial Affairs (V); Miscellaneous Provisions (VI). The Department of Water Regulation, as one of the central departments of the Ministry of Energy and Water, is the authority responsible to: coordinate and facilitate the activities of the river basin authorities; supervise and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of river basin authorities; collect data and report to the Ministry of Energy and Water; monitor the water resources’ development and exploitation plans; settle water-related disputes. Regulation insistently requires all river basin and water-related authorities to cooperate with each other in their activities. The Regulation establishes five river basin authorities, which are responsible to manage, exploit and protect water resources in the area under their control. The river basin authorities should act according to the national water policies and with respect to the special requirements of the area under their control. The river basin authorities also are required to: prepare local plans for development and exploitation of water resources; take necessary measures to reduce the adverse impacts of drought, flood, and other natural disasters; coordinate the activities of the companies and councils who are actively engaged in water-related affairs; establish the water users’ associations; maintain and improve of water infrastructure.