Water Affairs Management Law.

This Law consists of 6 Chapters and 41 articles. The Law aims to regulate the water management, fair distribution and economic use of water, development of water supply system, enhance quality and quantity of water resources and related services, ensure good governance of water affairs and protect water resources for the present and future generations. The law introduces the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management in the definitions and dedicates article 6 to it. The Law acknowledges people’s right to clean drinking water, as well as the importance of water use for humans and animals. According to the Law, the Supreme Council on Water, Land and Environment, composed of heads of 14 ministries and agencies shall define policy and strategies in water management. The Law assigns the Ministry of Water and Energy with the overall responsibility for the implementation of the Law, as well as with establishment of the bank of information on water resources and creating favorable conditions to attract investments in the sector. The system of water resources management also includes consultative councils at the level of river basins to be set up by the Ministry of Water and Energy. The composition of these councils shall include representatives of water users, relevant government administration and other involved parties. The Law formalizes the customary system of “mirobs”, traditional water distributors.
The Water User’s Assembly shall also be comprised for allocation of legal rights in use and access to water. The procedure on operation, range of duties, authorities and relevant issues shall be regulated separately. These Associations shall be registered by the Ministry of Water and Energy. This Law further explains the tasks for design and plan of water regulation, effective economic use of water resources and distribution of water. The Ministry of Water and Energy is also obliged to renew, design and operate drinking and farming water systems, irrigation, water for industry and commerce, protection of natural resources, energy production and tourism. The Law also provides for duties of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock on the use of new technologies for efficiency of use of water and reduction of damages to surface and underground water.