Section 2: Interpretation

2. Interpretation In this Act— “Authority” means the Central Water Authority established by section 3; “Board” means the Central Water Board established by section 7; “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Board; “Council” means the Water Advisory Council established under section 50; “existing water right” means any right— (a) in any irrigation works, water works or any work relating to water; (b) any right to any water from any river, stream or canal, being a right, other than in ground water, which belongs to any person or body corporate (other than a body corporate established by law for public purposes) before the commencement of this Act; “functions” includes powers and duties; “General Manager” means the person appointed to that office under section 14; “ground water” means any water under the surface of the ground, and includes underground streams, natural subsurface reservoirs and lakes and any water held underground in a zone of saturation but does not include— (a) water flowing in or contained in artificial pipes, conduits or reservoirs; (b) surface water having as its immediate origin atmospheric precipitation or natural springs issuing at the ground surface, and flowing over, or retained on, the surface of the ground; “member” means a member of the Board and includes the Chairperson; “Minister” means the Minister to whom responsibility for the Authority is assigned; “new water right” means any right— (a) in any irrigation works, water works on any works relating to water; (b) to any water from any river, stream or canal, which is granted by the Authority under this Act; [Issue 1] C8 – 2 Revised Laws of Mauritius “officer” means any person employed by the Authority; “polluted water” means water, the composition or quality of which has been so altered by any physical, chemical or biological means or process as to be likely to cause injury to any person, animal or plant using such water; “vesting day” means, in relation to Part VI, a day to be appointed by the Minister by regulations in respect of the undertaking of the Plaines Wilhems Sewerage Board; “water resources” means the surface and ground water, of whatever nature, within Mauritius. [S. 2 amended by Act 4 of 1985; Act 31 of 1989.] PART II – ESTABLISHMENT AND POWERS OF AUTHORITY