Factsheet: Water act

The main objects of the Act are: a) protection of surface water and groundwater; b) economic utilization of water resources; c) reduction of adverse effects of floods and drought; and d) safety of water management structures. The text of the Act consists of 137 sections divided into 11 Parts. Part 1 comprises the Water Act which is divided into 13 Chapters: introductory provisions (1); the use of water (2); surface water and groundwater status (3); planning in water management (4); protection of the water regime and water resources (5); watercourses (6); river basin administration (7); water management structures (8); protection against floods (9); fees and charges (10); execution of state administration (11); sanctions (12); joint and temporary provisions (13). The remaining 10 Parts deal with amendments to various acts.