Water Law.

This Law provides for in a comprehensive manner for the management and conservation of water resources for purposes of water use, protection against pollution including pollution of coastal waters, development of river beds and flood protection, for the management of water works facilities and public water resources, for financing of related activities and duties, for defining the responsibility and duties of the authority of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, canton's authorities and legal entities and citizens, as well as regulating other issues of importance for managing of water, water works facilities and public water resources.Part I contains general provisions. The Law shall apply to surface and ground water, mineral and thermal water; and coastal water of the Adriatic sea within the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the territory of the Federation for purposes of protection against land and sea pollution and usage of coastal sub-merged springs in the coastal water. Articles 3 and 4 lay down general principles of water management and ownership. Part II provides for the management of water resources and waterworks. The Federation territory is divided on the water and main catchment areas for the purpose of water managing (arts. 8, 9 and 10).There shall be a master plan of the Federation and water management master plans for the main catchment areas. Water management master plan for the smaller catchment areas are to be in accordance with the water management master plans of the main catchment area and with the water management master plan of the Federation (arts. 11 to 17). The Federal authorities shall establish a Commission for monitoring and co-ordination of the water management master plan. Article 18 and following concern management of waterworks.Part III concerns various public acts relating to waters such as the issuing of terms, approvals, permissions and orders. Part IV provides for the granting of concessions for water and public water resources, which are issued to improve water works systems, to use water and public water resources efficiently to create conditions for a prompt provision and inflow of funds from abroad and the country, as well as to utilise adequately the land required for water works. A concession shall be required, amongst others for fishing breeding activities (art. 70). Other provisions of this Act concern a system of water management in order to prevent floods and erosion, etc, use of water and relative rights, protection from water pollution, land reclamation, a water management data processing system, encroachment on land rights, the Federation Water Council, structural organization of water management and public companies, financing of water management and conservation, supervision over implementation of provisions of the Law, and miscellaneous matters. Various provisions of this Act concern water used for fish breeding facilities. (244 articles divided into 15 Parts)

Implemented by: Regulation on limit values for hazardous and harmful substances in the water which, after purification from the public sewage are discharged into the natural recipient. (2007-06-29)
Repealed by: Water Law. (2006-11-13)