Law of Georgia on Water Resources Management (No. 3423-XIMS-XMP of 2023)
Country
Type of law
Legislation
Date of original text
Date of latest amendment
Abstract
This Law establishes the legal framework governing the protection, management and use of water resources in Georgia. It regulates legal relations between state authorities, autonomous republics, municipalities, and natural and legal persons in the field of water resources, and defines the scope of application in relation to surface water, groundwater, their protection zones, and coastal and transboundary waters.
The Law sets out the principles of integrated water resources management and provides for the regulation of water resources at the level of river basins and basin districts. It defines river basin management units and establishes river basin management planning as the main instrument for water policy implementation. It sets out requirements on the protection of water ecosystems, the prevention of deterioration of water status, and the coordination of management of water, land and related resources.
It determines the competences of state bodies and other authorities responsible for water resources management. It establishes functions related to policy development, supervision and control, issuance of permits for water use, monitoring of water quantity, quality and status, maintenance of water data and information systems, identification of protected and vulnerable zones, and planning and implementation of flood risk management measures, including early warning systems.
The Law regulates the legal status of water resources and provides that water resources form part of the state water fund. It establishes rules on the identification, delimitation and classification of water bodies, and defines water protection zones, including water protection strips and sanitary protection zones, within which specific restrictions and regimes of use apply. It also regulates the use of land associated with water bodies and the conditions under which it may be used or allocated.
It regulates water use by distinguishing between general and special water use and establishes the conditions under which these activities may take place. It provides for permit requirements for activities involving water abstraction and the discharge of wastewater into surface water bodies, and defines the procedures and conditions for granting such permits. It sets out obligations of water users, including requirements related to prevention of pollution, treatment of wastewater, protection of water quality, and compliance with established standards. It also regulates access to water for drinking and domestic use, establishes monitoring and reporting requirements, and governs the management of transboundary water resources in accordance with international agreements.
The Law sets out the principles of integrated water resources management and provides for the regulation of water resources at the level of river basins and basin districts. It defines river basin management units and establishes river basin management planning as the main instrument for water policy implementation. It sets out requirements on the protection of water ecosystems, the prevention of deterioration of water status, and the coordination of management of water, land and related resources.
It determines the competences of state bodies and other authorities responsible for water resources management. It establishes functions related to policy development, supervision and control, issuance of permits for water use, monitoring of water quantity, quality and status, maintenance of water data and information systems, identification of protected and vulnerable zones, and planning and implementation of flood risk management measures, including early warning systems.
The Law regulates the legal status of water resources and provides that water resources form part of the state water fund. It establishes rules on the identification, delimitation and classification of water bodies, and defines water protection zones, including water protection strips and sanitary protection zones, within which specific restrictions and regimes of use apply. It also regulates the use of land associated with water bodies and the conditions under which it may be used or allocated.
It regulates water use by distinguishing between general and special water use and establishes the conditions under which these activities may take place. It provides for permit requirements for activities involving water abstraction and the discharge of wastewater into surface water bodies, and defines the procedures and conditions for granting such permits. It sets out obligations of water users, including requirements related to prevention of pollution, treatment of wastewater, protection of water quality, and compliance with established standards. It also regulates access to water for drinking and domestic use, establishes monitoring and reporting requirements, and governs the management of transboundary water resources in accordance with international agreements.
Attached files
Web site
Date of text
Notes
Consolidated version of the Law, including amendments up to Law No. 797 of 26 June 2025.
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No
Original title
საქართველოს კანონი წყლის რესურსების მართვის შესახებ (N3423-XIმს-Xმპ, 2023 წ.)