Amendment status not verified — confirm the current text below against the official source.
(1) The Authority shall discharge the following functions, namely :–– (a) determine the entitlement and distribution for various categories of use of water within each category and the terms and conditions of distribution or allocation ; (b) enforce the decisions and orders issued under the Act ; (c) fix the priority for equitable distribution of water available at the resource, project, sub-basin and river basin levels during periods of scarcity ; (d) establish a water tariff system and fix the water usage charges for use of water on account of–– (i) drinking purposes (domestic, commercial and industrial) ; (ii) irrigation of land ; (iii) exploitation and use of ground water; and (iv) generation of electricity : Provided that water usage charges shall at least recover the cost of the project and the expenditure incurred on its operation, maintenance and management. (e) regulate use of water by the users and licensees from all water sources in the State ; (f) adjudicate upon the disputes between the licensees and the department ; (g) specify or enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by the department and the licensees ; (h) ensure satisfactory service on the part of the concerned department or agency to the users or licensees ; (i) ensure transparency while exercising the powers and discharging its functions ; (j) advise the Government in the promotion of competition for the optimum utilization of water resources in the State ; (k) administer and manage inter-State water resources apportionment on river systems of the State ; (l) approve and review water resources schemes and projects : Provided that before approving any scheme or project, the Authority shall ensure that the proposed scheme or project is in conformity with–– (i) the integrated State Water Policy and plan ; (ii) the economic, hydrologic and environmental viability ; and (iii) the obligations of the State under any agreement, or decree or judgment of a court or tribunal, or inter-State water entitlement : Provided further that while approving any new water resources scheme or project, instructions issued by the Government from time to time relating to investment priority are strictly observed ; (m) establish a system of enforcement, monitoring and measurement of the use of water both in quantity and type of use ; (n) establish a regulatory system for the water resources of the State including surface and subsurface waters, to regulate the use of water and apportion the entitlement to the use of the water between water using categories ; (o) promote efficient use of water and to minimize the wastage of water ; and (p) discharge such other function as may be prescribed or assigned to it by the Government. (2) The Authority may review and revise the water usage charges fixed by it under clause (d) of sub-section (1) after every three years. (3) In the event of water scarcity, the Authority, may re-fix the entitlements and adjust the quantities of water available to all users and licensees in such manner as the Authority may deem necessary to overcome such scarcity and to ensure equitable distribution of available water. (4) The Authority shall, in accordance with the State Water Policy, coordinate with all concerned agencies to implement a comprehensive hydrometeorological data system for the state. (5) The Authority shall, promote and implement sound water conservation and management practices throughout the State. (6) The Authority shall support and aid the enhancement and preservation of water within the State in close coordination with the other States. (7) The Authority shall ensure that while approving the water schemes and projects, the principle of ‘tail to head’ irrigation is implemented. (8) The Authority shall strive to make the water available to the drought prone areas of the State.