This Act makes provision for the management, conservation and use of water resources in Niue. It also provides for the control of water pollution and concerns protection of ecosystems that depend on water. The Act consists of 72 sections divided into 8 Parts: Preliminary (1);Functions and Powers of Directors (2); Water Investigation; Monitoring and Compliance Programme (3); Water Supply (4); Water Quality Protection (5); Offences and penalties (6); Administrative framework (7); Miscellaneous (8).
The objective of this Act is to provide an administrative and regulatory framework for the sustainable, efficient and coordinated development, extraction, protection, management and use of the water resources of Niue. Section 4 sets out principles of water management. The Public Works Director shall be responsible the construction, management, regulation and protection of water supply. The Environment Director shall be responsible for water quality, whereas the Health Director shall be responsible for the monitoring of water quality of public water supply systems. Division 1 of Part 4 concerns the right to extract groundwater. An extraction licence shall be granted in accordance with Division 3 of Part 4. The Director of Works may impose temporary water extraction restrictions and issue Waters Conservation Orders. The Environment Director may issue Water Pollution Orders if satisfied that any act or omission by any person or public authority or Village Council may result, directly or indirectly, in water pollution. The Public Works Director may direct an authorised officer to prepare and implement an integrated water resource management plan for a designated area.