Law on Equitable Distribution of Water Resources.

The purpose of the Law is to codify regulations regarding fair distribution of water within the country and between domestic, agricultural and industrial consumers. According to the Law, all sea waters, rivers, lakes, surface waters, groundwater, mineral waters and other internal waters are considered as public water and belong to the government. The law determine the quality of usage of the public water as well as protection and rehabilitation of their resources. Violation of the provisions of the Act is punishable by fine or imprisonment. The Act consists of 52 articles, subdivided in 5 Chapters and relative Sections as follows: Public and National Ownership of Water (I); Groundwater (II); Surface Water (III); Duties and Responsibilities (IV); Compensation, Violations, Penalties and Miscellaneous Provisions (V).