Functions of the Authority

(1) This Act applies to control, conservation, and proper uses of water resources, but before the Authority exercises its functions in relation to such activities, it shall consult with the companies licensed by the Public Utilities Commission under the Water Industry Act, Cap. 222. Provided that, (a) the Authority shall strictly confine itself to discharging its functions specified in relation to a matter falling within the provision of this Act; (b) the companies licensed by the Public Utilities Commission under the Water Industry Act, Cap. 222 shall strictly confine themselves to discharging the functions specified in that Act; (c) notwithstanding anything in this Act, no function that is essentially a function of, or which has over the time been discharged by National Integrated 14 companies licensed by the Public Utilities Commission under the Water Industry Act, Cap. 222 shall be discharged by the (2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Authority may, for the purpose of performing any of its functions under this Act, do anything and enter into any transaction which, in the opinion of the Authority, is necessary to ensure the proper performance of its functions. (3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the (a) obtain, compile, store and disseminate data concerning the water resources of Belize; (b) exercise planning functions as provided for in this Act in relation to the Master Plan and (c) allocate water resources in conformity with the provisions of this Act; (d) protect and control the quality of water resources in accordance with the provisions (e) provide to any department or agency of Government, at its request, technical assistance in respect of any projects, programmes or activities which relate to the development, conservation and use of water National Integrated 15 (f) take measures designed to raise public awareness of the importance or need for the wise use of water resources; (g) perform such other functions relating to the management, protection, conservation and use of water resources as may be assigned to it by or under this Act or any other enactment.