Government Regulation no. 30 of 2024 concerning Water Resources Management.

This Government Regulation, implementing provisions of article 8 paragraphs (7) and (8), article 22 paragraph (5), article 27, article 34, article 37, article 39 paragraph (8), article 40 paragraph (6), article 40 A paragraph (5), article 41 paragraph (5), article 43 paragraph (5), article 53, article 54 paragraph (71), article 56 paragraph (3), article 60, article 61 paragraph (3), article 62 paragraph (2), article 63 paragraph (4), and article 75 A paragraph (3) of Law no. 17 of 2019 concerning Water Resources, provides for the comprehensive management of water resources, integrating conservation, utilisation, and damage control, in order to ensure sustainable benefits for the public. The Regulation defines the following relevant terms: water; water resources; surface water; groundwater; water resources Management Plan; water resources conservation; river basin management; water resources infrastructure; water quality management; water pollution control; water resources and community management; National Council for water resources; water resources management fee; water catchment area. The Regulation is inspired by the following water resources management principles: strategic planning, environmental protection, monitoring, evaluation and implementation of water resources management.
The Regulation provides for the following matters: detailing roles and responsibilities of various government bodies and institutions in managing water resources; preparation of the Water Resource Management Plan for interprovincial river basins and the National Strategy for river basins in consultation with relevant stakeholders; preventing damage and maintaining the functionality of water sources; managing water flow, allocation, and maintenance to optimise water resource benefits; preparation of an emergency plans, to address potential water-related risks; encouraging community participation in water resource operations and maintenance; strengthening the social function of water resources, to achieve justice and sustainability, prioritising daily needs and irrigation for local agriculture; creation of zoning for water use and allocation based on environmental feasibility, reducing conflicts, and ensuring balance between protection and utilisation of water resources; encouraging public participation in water resource planning and management, ensuring transparency and consideration of local needs; using surface and groundwater for daily needs and large-scale use, like electricity generation, construction, and research.
The Regulation also concerns: procedures for submitting complaints from the public, and related follow-up actions by the authority, including imposition of sanctions; compliance to Law enforcement; issuance of guidelines for technical aspects of water resource management; construction and maintenance of water resources infrastructure for disaster prevention; strengthening the role of local customs and knowledge in the protection and preservation of water resources. Final provisions include: funding and allocation of local government budgets; ministerial responsibilities for different sectors involving water resources management.