Water Resources Act (No. 9 of 2024).

This Act, consisting of eight Parts, provides for: promoting the efficient use of water, and the integrated management of water resources; safeguarding the immediate and long-term public interest for an equitable access to water and its beneficial use for social and economic development; establishing appropriate institutions, structures and regulatory processes to achieve effective control, protection, planning, management and development of water resources and the supply of raw water; implementing a legal framework for water use, management, control, conservation and protection for the social and economic development of the country; promoting water resources sustainable development; developing strategies to address the adverse effects of climate change on water resources; reducing the waste or loss of water; strengthening water recycling, reuse, desalination and alternative methods. The Act concerns the following terms and topics: alternative water sources; borehole; catchment; dam; Central Water Authority; desalination; water used for domestic purposes; effluent; integrated water resources management; existing water rights; reserved use; reservoir; river basin; spring; surface waters; underground waters; water use permit; watercourse.
Part II of this Act concerns water resources management framework, and particularly focuses on the following matters: powers and duties of the Minister; entitlement to use of water; establishment of the Water Resources Commission and specification of its functions, including control and development of water resources for domestic, industrial and commercial purposes, energy production, irrigation; establishment of Water Resources Technical Committee and specification of its functions. Part III concerns: application for water use permit; conditions of water use permit; reserved use of water; obligations of permit holder and exemptions. Part IV concerns management and administration of water resources, including: protection of any water resources; declaration of protected and restricted area for the protection and conservation purposes; development and use of alternative sources of water, including desalinated water; special measures for rivers and canals; works related to rivers, canals and other watercourses; measures concerning dams, responsibilities of dam owners, assessment of safety risk; management and regulation of underground water; drilling, development and use of boreholes; targeted measures for ensuring adequate water supply for public purposes during periods of emergency or acute water shortage.
Part V details water rights and concerns: existing water rights and application for registration of existing water rights; water rights and public interest, including maintaining a sustainable environment; determination and payment of compensation. Part VI concerns enforcement measures; damage; offences. Part VII concerns measures for applying the Act to the island of Rodrigues. Part VIII concerns miscellaneous measures, including: power of issue Regulations; protection from liability; repeal and amendment of previous Acts.