Notified water sources and water main routes

Notification of water sources and protection of water supply mains and their ownership

1. (1) The Government may, from time to time, identify and declare certain water sheds or water sources or both or water main routes as notified watersheds or water sources or notified water main routes;
2. (2) Such notified watersheds or water sources or notified water main routes shall, thereupon be under the administrative control of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh;
3. (3) Any use of such notified watersheds or water sources or water main routes by the public, local authority or any other agency shall require prior approval of the competent authority;
4. (4) The Government may impose tax for use of water from the notified water sheds, water sources or water main routes by the public, local authority or any other agency and the charges shall be not less than seventy percent of the charges for supply of water for domestic purposes, as may be prescribed;
5. (5) Private Water sources such as springs, dug wells, Bore wells etc. shall mandatorily be verified by the officials of Public Health Engineering and Water Supply Department to certify its reliability in terms of quality and a nominal surcharge shall be levied from the consumer. Explanation:
   • (i) "Watershed" means an area surrounding any spring, stream or pond (whether formed naturally or otherwise) which conserves and sustains a source of water, the quantity whereof is likely to be varied by erosion of soil, felling of trees or disturbances by cattle grazing or human settlement/activity and includes the gathering ground of a river system;
   • (ii) "Water route" means the strip of land along which the pipeline for supply of water is laid and includes the land adjoining such pipeline which, if disturbed by quarrying, digging, or movement of vehicles etc. is likely to disturb the stability of the pipeline.
   • (iii) "Water source" means any spring, stream, river, pond (whether formed naturally or otherwise) from where water is tapped for domestic or other purposes.