Includes bibliographical references and index.

Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
CHAPTER I
Preliminary Provisions
Adoption and Title 1
Purpose 1
Scope 1
Commencement 1
CHAPTER II
Authorities and Functions
National Environment Commission 2
National Environment Commission Secretariat 2
Competent Authorities 3
Ministry of Works and Human Settlement (MoWHS) 4
Ministry of Health (MoH) 5
Ministry of Agriculture and Forests (MoAF) 6
Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs (MoHCA) 8
Ministry of Economic Affairs (MoEA) 9
Ministry of Education (MoE) 10
Bhutan Electricity Authority (BEA) 10
Dzongkhag Tshogdu 10
Gewog Tshogde 11
Civil Society Organizations (CSO) 13
Dzongkhag Water Management Committee (DWMC) 13
Other Competent Authorities 14
Reporting 14
CHAPTER III
Water Users’ Association
Formation of WUA 14
Chairperson, Office Bearers and Tenure 15
Quorum, Decision Making Process and Meeting 15
Registration 15
Powers and Functions of the WUA 16
Formation and Functions of the Federation of Water Users’ Association (FWUA) 18
CHAPTER IV
General Provisions
Delegation of Commission’s Powers 19
Water User Rights 19
Right to Water Facility of a Land and House 19
Permit Requirements 20
Permit Issuing Authorities 20
Exemption from Permit Requirement 21
Effluent Discharge, Property Damage and Compensation 21
Water Pollution Control 22
Periodic Water Tank Cleanups 22
Integrated Water Use Management Plans 22
Water Harvesting 23
Drinking Water Source 23
Registration of Water Sources 23
Groundwater Abstraction 23
Minimum Environmental Flow 23
Maintenance of Natural Courses of Rivers and Streams 23
Buffer Zones 24
Measurement of Buffer Zones 24
Existing Infrastructures 24
Facilitate Movement of Fish 24
Concrete Tank Constructions 25
Laying of Water Conduits 25
Change in Water Use 25
Avoidance of Pipe Cluttering 25
CHAPTER V
Rural Drinking Water
Water Source and Infrastructure Falling within Registered Land 26
New Users from an Existing System 27
Application to Abstract New Drinking Water 27
Issuance of Decision 28
Temporary Water Users 28
Routine Maintenance 28
CHAPTER VI
Thromde Drinking Water
Competent Authority 28
Functions of Thromde Administraton 29
Thromde Water Supply System 29
Pipe-Work and Water Meter 30
Water Tariffs 30
Water Pricing Committee 30
Allocation of Strategic Fire Hydrants 30
CHAPTER VII
Irrigation Water
Authority and Tasks of Agencies 31
Existing Right to Irrigation Waterways 31
Laying of Irrigation Water Facilities 31
Relocation of Irrigation Water Facilities 31
Application to Abstract New Irrigation Water 32
Routine Maintenance of Irrigation Facilities 32
Unused Irrigation Channel 33
Sharing of Water 33
Runoff Drainage 33
CHAPTER VIII
Planning and Management of Water Resources
National Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (NIWRMP) 33
River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) 34
Meetings 35
Functions of River Basin Committee 35
Elements for RBMP Preparation 36
Review and Revision of RBMPs 37
Participation in RBMPs 38
Monitoring Program 38
CHAPTER IX
Watersheds and their Management
Classification of Watersheds 38
Timber Extraction from a Watershed Area 38
Awareness Raising Programs 39
Community Settlement within Watershed Area 39
Watershed Management 39
CHAPTER X
Dispute Resolution
Dispute Settlement 40
Dispute among Communities of Different Gewogs under the Same Dzongkhag 41
Dispute among Communities of Different Dzongkhags 41
Appeal to the Commission 41
CHAPTER XI
Offences and Penalties
Offences 42
Administrative Sanctions 42
Enforcement of Administrative Sanctions 43
Penalty Assessment 43
Offence of Felony 43
Offence of misdemeanour 44
Offence of petty misdemeanour 45
CHAPTER XII
Miscellaneous Provision
Offence Reporting Procedure 45
Waste Disposal in Water Bodies 45
Revision 46
Interpretation 46
Definitions 46
List of abbreviations 50
Glossary 50