This Act applies to the use of water which can have the function of drainage, particularly surface water and waste-water, including ditches, canals, pipelines and drains, and lakes, ponds and other similar inland waters. Watercourses are classified as private and public and private landowners are allowed to lower the groundwater level on their property, in order to ensure proper drainage to existing streams. Maintenance of private and public watercourses shall be regulated by the Minister of Environment, after consulting with KL (Local Land Municipality). Public watercourses not meeting satisfactory results, may be improved by creating artificial banks, by placement of large rocks and logs, by establishing current converging and spawning grounds
The Act consists of 17 Chapters: Purpose (1); About watercourse general use (2); Rivers Authority (3); Classification of watercourses and construction (4); Regulations for public watercourses (5); Adjustment of watercourses and construction of new river (6); Watercourse maintenance (7); Restoring of streams(8); Pumping facilities for dewatering and installation of necessary facilities for the intake, pumping and bypass of water for watering (9); Bridges, dam construction and rivers (10); Supervision and monitoring (11); Environmental Damage (11A); Miscellaneous provisions (12); Expropriation and compensation (13); Rivers Authority's commitment to economic issues (14); Decisions on water-course cases (15); Appeals (16); Penalties and entry into force (17).