Water Management

The Uttar Pradesh Water Management and Regulatory Commission Bill, 2008 aims to provide for the establishment of the Uttar Pradesh Water Management and Regulatory Commission to regulate water resources within the State, facilitate and ensure judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and optimal utilization of water resources for environmentally, economically sustainable development of the State, fix the rates for water use for agriculture, industrial, drinking, power and other purposes and cess on lands benefited by flood protection and drainage works from the owners of lands benefited through appropriate regulatory instruments according to State Water Policy.

Some of the changes proposed are as follows –

• In section 4 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), for clauses (a) and (b), the following clauses shall be substituted, namely:-
• the number of wells that were in existence in the scheduled area immediately before the date of commencement of this Act;
• the use of groundwater in the scheduled area for agricultural purposes immediately before the date of commencement of this Act;
• the number of wells from which water is extracted for domestic purposes;
• the number of wells from which water is extracted for industries, automobile service centres, multipurpose halls and other commercial centres;
• the number of water sources both public and private;
  • In sub-section (2), for item (vii), the following items shall be substituted namely:-
  • the details of the methods  adopted for groundwater conservation and rain water harvesting;
  • the quality of water with scientific evidence;
  • such other matter as may be prescribed.

This act aims to regulate and control the development of ground water in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

Maharashtra water resources regulatory authority act (2005):  

The act to provide for the establishment of the Maharashtra water resources regulatory authority aims to regulate water resources within the state of Maharashtra, facilitate and ensure judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilisation of water resources and fix the rates for use of water for agriculture, industrial, drinking and other purposes. 

The Maharashtra groundwater (regulation for drinking water purposes) act, 1993, take protection measures for public drinking water sources such as prohibition of construction of wells within certain limits.

Introduction

The Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation Act (2003) aims to consolidate and amend the laws relating to construction of irrigation works, conservation and distribution of water for the purpose of irrigation and levy of betterment contribution and water cess on lands benefited by irrigation works and to provide for involvement of farmers in water utilisation system.

The various functions and powers of the authority outlined in Karnataka groundwater (regulation and control of development and management) bill, 2006, are as follows -

The Municipal Corporation may on contractual terms agreed with the Operator or Operator consultant, allow them to participate in the management, operation and maintenance of all municipal water works and the construction or acquisition of new works necessary for a sufficient supply of water for public and private purpose in the City or any specified part thereof.