Ministerial Decree No. 174 validating the Regulation on water protection zones of water reservoirs and other waterbodies, rivers, main channels, manifolds, and also of supply sources of potable water for residential use, sources of medicinal and recrea...

This Ministerial Decree regulates the establishment of water protection and sanitary protection zones and the modalities of economic activity therein for the purpose of prevention of freshwater pollution, littering and exhaustion of water resources. Water protection areas and coastal belts shall be created around water reservoirs and other waterbodies, and also around rivers, main channels and manifolds while sanitary protection areas shall be created around the sources of potable water supply, sources of mineral and medicinal water. Water conservation arrangements shall be composed of: (a) establishment of water protection zones and rules of economic activity therein; and (b) engineering, amelioration, sanitary and other technical arrangements. Land included in water protection zone shall not be expropriated from their owners but shall be used in accordance with the present Ministerial Decree. Breadth of water protection zones shall be established in accordance with the following criteria: (a) 300-500 metres around big water reservoirs and other waterbodies (capacity of 1,1 to 10 cubic kilometres); (b) 200-300 metres around medium water reservoirs and other waterbodies (capacity of 0,6 to 1 cubic kilometre); (c) 100-200 metres around small water reservoirs and other waterbodies (capacity of 0,2 to 0,5 cubic kilometres); and (d) up to 100 metres around very small water reservoirs and waterbodies (capacity less that 0,1 cubic kilometres).