This Act provides for the control, conservation, apportionment and use of the water resources. It regulates the allocation of rights to use public waters and it provides for the establishment of the Water Resources Board (constitution in the Schedule) to administer the water rights and servitudes, and to inspect water works. It also prohibits pollution of public water. The Minister may designate controlled areas where a development scheme for the natural resources may be drafted. The Act provides that any person having lawful access to public water may abstract and use the same for domestic purposes and declares that any person who diverts, dams, stores, abstracts or uses public water or who, for any such purpose, constructs or maintains any works except under and in accordance with this Act and of any other written law shall be guilty of an offence. Water rights existing before the entry into force of this Act shall be notified to the Minister by the person claiming such right and the Minister shall, after having considered such right to be existing, record such right. The Act also provides for the granting of a right to divert, dam, store, abstract or use public water and may suspend such rights in period of drought. (26 sections completed by 1 Schedule)
ملاوي · 1969-11-03