General Water Law (Panama)

1. The purpose of these Laws is to regulate the use of continental and insular waters of the State, guaranteeing their sustainability in availability, quality and quantity, through the integrated management of water resources. The provisions of this Law cover all general uses of water resources, for which the Panamanian State recognizes the right fundamental to having access to water and sanitation in a universal, supportive and equitable manner, seeking the sustainability of ecosystems. Article 2. All river, lake, mannas, and brackish waters. underground and atmospheric waters included within the national territory, whether continental or insular, the subsoil, the continental shelf and the territorial sea, are public domain assets of the State, whose allocation, disposition, management and regulation are of public order and interest. social. The provisions of this Law cover all general uses of water resources for each hydrographic basin in accordance with its vocation and potential. Compared to other uses, water for human consumption will always prevail and to guarantee food security, maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems and ensuring environmental flow. Article 3. This Law recognizes as principle that water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment, based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and decision makers. at all levels, progressively, focusing at all times on management integrated management of water resources at the basin level in a coordinated, efficient, sustainable and equitable manner, considering more cooperative and organizational, open and transparent forms of governance.