Interpretation

In this Act unless the context otherwise requires “aquifer” means a geological structure or formation or an artificial landfill permeated or capable of being permeated permanently or intermittently with water; “artesian well” means a well drilled deep enough to reach water that rises to the surface by internal pressure without pumping; “Authority” means the National Integrated Water Resource Authority established under section 3 of this Act; “bore” means any bore, hole, well, excavation or other opening in the ground or any naturally or artificially constructed or improved underground cavity which could be used, is used or may be used for the purpose of intercepting, collecting, obtaining or using groundwater or for the purpose of disposing of any water or waste below the surface of the ground, or which extends to an aquifer; “Controlled Area” or “control use” means an area or use declared as such in accordance with section 55 of this Act; National Integrated 10 “domestic use” in relation to the abstraction of water means the use of such water for drinking, washing, cooking and sanitary purposes in connection with a residence; or farming, gardening, the watering of stock or pen-keeping in connection with a household where the entire area of land does not exceed five acres; “gathering ground” any surface of land or device which collects rainfall and which supplies a controlled area or waterworks; “ground water” means all water occurring or obtained from below the surface of the ground other than water contained in works, not being a bore, for the distribution, storage or treatment of water or waste, and includes water occurring in or obtained from any bore or aquifer; “impoundment works” means any dam, basin or other works whereby water may be impounded for abstraction and use; “interested person” means a person who may be materially affected by any decision or regulation made or issued by the “licensee” means a person who is in possession of a license issued in accordance with section 16 of this Act; “local authority” means any Town Council established under the Belize City Council Act, Cap. 85, the Belmopan City Council Act, Cap. 86 or the Town Councils Act, Cap. 87; “Master Plan” means the National Water Resources Master Plan referred to in section 14 of this Act; “Minister” means the Minister responsible for Natural Resources, unless otherwise specified; National Integrated 11 “permit holder” means a person who holds a permit for the discharge of waste under section 66 of this Act; “public utility provider” means any person or company (including lessee, trustee, receiver or liquidator of such persons or company) who owns or operates equipment or facilities for the provision, storage, purification, delivery, sale, furnishing or supplying, directly or indirectly to or for the public, of water or the provision of sewerage facilities through a system of pipes connected to households in any area or community; “recharge area” means any area of the watershed where water infiltrates through a permeable or semi-permeable surface; “surface water” includes water collected from roofs but does not include such water collected for domestic use. “use”, in relation to water, includes to withdraw, pump, extract, take, use or re-use or divert for the purpose of using or re-using that water; “waste” means sewerage and any other matter or thing whether wholly or partly solid, liquid or gaseous state, which may cause water pollution and includes waste declared pursuant to section 64 of this Act; “water”, “waters” and “water resources” mean, (a) water flowing or situated upon the surface of any land; (b) water flowing or contained in; (i) any river, stream, creek or other natural course for water; National Integrated 12 (ii) any lake or spring, whether or not it has been altered or artificially improved; (c) (d) any water contained by works acquired, constructed, improved or operated by or on behalf of the holder of any license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Act; (e) any estuarine or coastal waters prescribed by the Minister by Order published in the Gazette, as water to which this Act or any Part or provision thereof applies; “watercourse” includes all rivers, streams, ditches, drains, cuts, culverts, dykes and passages through which water flows, whether on the surface or underground, except water-mains and sewers; “Water Quality Control Area” means an area declared as such by the Minister in circumstances specified in section 79 of this Act; “Water Quality Control Plan” means a plan prepared pursuant to section 80; “waterworks” includes all existing reservoirs, intakes, catchments, dams, tanks, cisterns, deep wells or boreholes, tunnels, pillar beds, conduits, aqueducts, pipes, fountains, sluices, valves, hydrant pumps, and all other structures or appliances which are used or intended to be used or constructed for the supply, storage, purification, conveyance, support, measurement or regulation of water by or on behalf of a licensee, or which may be used or constructed for the National Integrated 13 aforesaid purpose by a licensee and which belong to or are managed by or vested in a licensee; “Works” includes waterworks.