National Integrated Water Resources Act (CAP. 222:01).

This Act concerns the management and conservation of water resources in Belize. Conservation measures also aim at prevention of pollution of water resources. The 102 sections of this Act are divided into 13 Parts: Preliminary (I); Water Resources Administration (II); National Policy and Licensing (III); Functions, Powers and Duties of Licensees (IV); Abstraction and Use of Water (V); Control and Protection of Ground Water and Well Drilling (VI); Gathering Grounds (VII); Control of Water Abstraction and Use (VIII); Water Pollution Control (IX); Control of Pollution (X); Control of Water Quality and Reservation (XI); Finances, Audit and Reports of the Authority (XII); Miscellaneous (XIII).
The Act establishes the National Integrated Water Resources Authority as a body corporate. It shall enforce the policy of the Government for the orderly and coordinated development and use of Belize’s water resources, to conserve and protect such resources for the benefit of present and future generations of Belizeans, and to provide the Belizean public with a safe, adequate and reliable supply of water. The Act defines the relationship between the Authority and the companies licensed by the Public Utilities Commission under the Water Industry Act. Water abstraction rules of this Act shall not apply to a public utility service as defined by the Public Utilities Commission Act. The Authority shall, among other things, exercise planning functions as provided for in this Act in relation to the Master Plan and Water Quality Control Plan, allocate water resources in conformity with the provisions of this Act and protect and control the quality of water resources in accordance with the provisions of this Act. It may issue administrative orders, rules, by-laws and regulations necessary for the implementation of this Act. The Authority shall prepare and submit to the Minister for approval a draft National Water Resources Master Plan for Belize that reflects the water policy of the Government of Belize and is in accordance with citeria defined by this Act. The Plan shall be periodically revised.
No person shall abstract water, augment, distribute or use water resources without a licence obtained from the Authority. The Authority may, in its discretion, grant, renew, or refuse to grant a licence to an applicant and may attach conditions to a licence as specified. The Authority shall keep a register of licences. A licensee shall consult with relevant ministers, ministries or departments prior to taking any action as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of conserving, redistributing or otherwise augmenting any water resources in Belize. Right to water (abstraction) is defined by this Act, but the Authority has a certain discretion in deciding on such rights. Any person may abstract and use water without a license if the water is required for the following purposes, (a) domestic use; (b) agricultural use, which does not include flood irrigation; (c) any other purpose which the Authority may prescribe. the Act also provides with respect of the constitution of easement for purposes of water abstraction and use. The Authority may deal with surface water and ground water as one source of supply if, in its opinion, the surface water and ground water are so interconnected as to constitute one source of supply. The Act defines powers of the Authority in vcase of ity in water-related emergencies.
Well-sinking requires the consent of the Authority and no person shall practice as a well-driller except under and in accordance with a licence granted by the Authority. Persons involved in operations under the Mines and Minerals Act or the Petroleum Act shall take such measures as may be required by the Authority for conserving ground water, being measures. Waste or contamination of groundwater shall be avoided. The Authority shall have the power to determine the safe yield of any aquifer.
The Minister may declare Water Quality Control Areas and the Authority shall in respect of each area declared a Water Quality Control Area, the Authority shall prepare and submit to the Minister for approval a draft Water Quality Control Plan, which shall be in conformity with the Master Plan. The Authority may adopt ambient water quality standards established by the Department of the Environment. The Authority shall ensure that all gathering grounds shall either, (a) be retained as forest reserves or national parks, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Forests Act and the National Parks System Act; or (b) be declared to be controlled areas under this Act, by the Minister. The Act defines powers of Authority in case of water-related emergencies.