Resource information
This Ordinance establishes rules for the creation and functioning of associations of water users and defines the rights and obligations of such non-profit legal entities and their members.The text consists of 41 articles which are divided into 8 Chapters: General provisions (I); Establishment of Water Users' Associations (II); Operation of Water Users' Associations (III); Legal relations between the association and its members (IV); Books, records and control of the association (V); Ownership of irrigation infrastructure and servitude (VI); Dissolution, liquidation and merger of Associations (VII); Final provisions (VIII).Water User Associations may be formed by owners of holders of real rights and users of agricultural land in the land areas in which they operate (art. 3). The Association may buy water and distribute it to its members, procure and maintain irrigation equipment, build and operate irrigation and drainage facilities and perform other activities pursuant to article 4. The initial step to creation of an Association is the setting up of an Initiative Committee (art. 7). Article 9 prescribes contents of the Statute. After approval of the Statute at the foundation meeting, the Management Board shall apply for registration of the Association in the Register of Associations at the Regulatory Office. The decision of registration shall be taken by the competent county court (art. 11 and following). The Association shall be managed by a General Assembly, a Management Board and a Chairperson (art. 15). In compliance with Law 213 of 1998 on public property, an Association may acquire ownership of public irrigation infrastructure as specified in article 35. The assets shall be conveyed directly from the Minister of Agriculture through a concession agreement. The Association may also obtain servitudes on land which does not belong to one of its members under article 36. Associations may establish federations of water users' associations (art. 40).
