Order No. 124 of the Committee on Environmental Protection validating the Rules on water protection zones of waterbodies.

This Order establishes that water protection zone is the territory adjacent to the waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs and irrigation waterworks and irrigation systems, and main channels, where special conditions of water management are established in order to prevent pollution and depletion of water, maintain their environmental sustainability and good sanitary conditions. Within the limits of water protection areas, water protection zones are separated, with strict limitation of economic activities for sanitary protection purposes. The boundaries of water protection zones are established with the consideration of physic and geographic, soil, hydrogeological conditions, the purposeful use of the waterbody or parts thereof and the type of the relief. The dimensions of water protection zones and coastal strips of rivers, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, main channels, as well as the procedure for their use are determined by this Regulation. Along the banks of reservoirs located in the river beds and channels, the width of the water protection zone is set in accordance with the length of the river or the carrying capacity of the channel from the water edge corresponding to the normal backed water level in the reservoir. This Regulation establishes the dimensions (width and length) of water protection zones and the list of prohibited activities within their areas.