Section 2: Interpretation and application

2. Interpretation and application (1) In this Act— “Authority” means the Central Water Authority established under the Central Water Authority Act; “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 water flowing in or contained in artificial pipes, conduits or reservoirs, nor does it include 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; “ground water licence” means a licence issued under section 7; “works” means any structure, apparatus, contrivance or device for abstracting, diverting, obstructing, measuring or using ground water. (2) This Act shall bind the State. [S. 2 amended by Act 48 of 1991.]