General Regulation of the Irrigation and Drainage Law

The General Regulation develops the provisions of the Irrigation and Drainage Law to facilitate its interpretation and systematic application, establishing procedures for the conservation, use and distribution of hydraulic resources for irrigation and drainage purposes. It regulates the construction, conservation and administration of irrigation and drainage works, flood control, swamp drainage and stabilization of hydrographic basins through the rational use of water and soil resources. It creates the Water Registry to register concessions and permits, establishes procedures for granting provisional permits, temporary permits and concessions for the use of surface and groundwater for agricultural purposes. It defines the competence of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock through the General Directorate of Irrigation and Drainage Works, and establishes the creation of Irrigation and Drainage Districts and Irrigators' Associations as technical-administrative units for the integral management of water resources for productive purposes.