Ground Water Act 1969.

The Act provides general rules for the abstraction of ground water (as defined). It declares all ground water to vest in the State and prescribes that no person shall: a) abstract, divert, obstruct, measure or use any ground water; or (b) construct or erect any works in or over any ground water, unless he or she has obtained a licence under this Act. It also declares alteration of the composition or quality of ground water that it is likely to cause injury to any person, animal or plant using such water, to be an offence. Applications for a licence shall be made to the Central Water Authority in such form as the Minister may determine. Any person licensed under this Act shall pay a fee to the Authority and keep such records of operations as may be required in writing by the Authority and produce such records for inspection whenever required to do so by the Authority. Any persons who discovers ground water shall immediately notify the Authority and, if owner or occupier of the land on which the water is discovered, take such measures and comply with such directions as the Authority may require for the conservation of such ground water. If a person has insufficient means to comply with any direction, the Authority may take implement measures for the conservation of ground water, and such person may apply for a licence. The Act assigns regulation-making powers to the Authority.