Act No. 82 of 2000 on river systems and groundwater (Water Resources Act).

This Act aims at safeguarding the proper public use and administration of freshwater resources. “Watercourse” is defined in section 2 as including both running flowing and stagnant surface waters. The Crown may decide if and in how far the provisions of this Act apply to Jan Mayen or Svalbard. The Act applies in certain cases also the marine waters (sect. 2).
The Act consists of 69 sections which are divided into 15 Chapters: Scope and applications sphere (1); general rules relative to watercourses (2); Further rules relative to concession of watercourse undertakings (3); Common undertakings (4); protected watercourses (5); Insurance against damage (6); Closing of watercourse works (7); groundwater (8); compensation of damage (9); Expropriation and compensation for expropriation (10); Control and supervision in relation with watercourses and groundwater (11); Enforcement of the Act and measures implemented in accordance with the Act (12); Penal provisions (13); Administrative provisions (14); Final provisions (15).
Chapter 2 contains rules relative to use of watercourses in general, quality standards for freshwater, obstruction of watercourses, etc. Section 8 requires a concession for water use to be obtained from the competent water authorities for uses that may affect water quality or quantity in and in particular uses described in sections 12 to 15. Section 32 defines “protected waters”, which shall be announced in the Official Gazette. Sections 33 to 35 restrict use of protected waters.
Groundwater is owned by the owner of the land under which the waters is stored. Sections 45 and 46 deal with the exploitation of groundwater.