Regulations for establishing and licensing regional water facilities No. 17 of 2021.

This comprehensive Regulation, consisting of 69 Articles, aims to (i) establish and define the roles of the Regional Water Facility, covering its authority, formation, management, financial resources, dissolution, merger, and all related matters; (ii) delineate procedures for licensing the regional water utility and operators. The Regional Water Utility, defined as the entity directly providing water and sanitation services to consumers, strives for sustainability, financial efficiency, economies of scale, and independence. Its responsibilities encompass various service provisions, wastewater management, project implementation adhering to standards, strategic planning, collaboration with relevant authorities, resource conservation, and engagement with support and financing from local and international bodies. The facility is also mandated to operate within approved specifications, standards, and quality benchmarks, implement capacity-building plans, manage budgets, address service-related complaints, contract licensed operators, and ensure transparent information and data provision to the Council.
This Regulation addresses the establishment and procedures of the regional water facility and concession areas. Article 13 specifies that the Regional Water Utility and the concession area operator must obtain a license from the Council of Ministers for water and sanitation services, detailing the procedures in subsequent articles. Article 19 outlines the Council's responsibilities, including monitoring licensee compliance, developing incentive programs, overseeing water management, ensuring fair costs, setting quality standards, handling complaints, and providing a guide to licensing procedures. Article 31 explains the General Assembly's duties, such as adopting facility policies, approving memberships, reviewing reports, electing members, approving plans, addressing urgent matters, endorsing committees, and deciding on asset transactions, including approving the annual budget.
Concerning oversight and supervision, the relevant supervisory authorities will conduct inspections of the regional water facility, encompassing internal control, control reports, as well as administrative, financial, and technical internal control reports.