Power of Government to divert water from water main belonging to a local authority

The Government may at any time take water from any water main belonging to, or in the control of, a local authority for supplying water to any other area, subject to such payment being made to the local authority concerned and subject also to such other conditions as the Government may consider reasonable: Provided that before taking action under this section the Government shall communicate to the local authority the grounds on which they propose to do so fix a reasonable period for the local authority to show cause against the proposal, and consider its explanation or objections if any.