This Provincial Act regulates the use and the protection of waters pertaining to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano with a view to attaining the following objectives: (a) prevention and reduction of pollution; (b) restoration of polluted water bodies; (c) improvement of water conditions; (d)sustainable and enduring use of water resources, giving priority to potable water. These aims shall be pursued through the following instruments: (a) integrated protection of quality and quantity aspects; (b) a control system and related penalties; (c) compliance with the limit values for discharges; (d) sewerage and purification installations. Article 2 lays down several definitions, including “surface waters”, “groundwater”, “water bodies”, environmental quality objectives”, “pollution”, “water discharges”,“sewerage”. Article 3 defines and regulates the functions which belong to the Provinces in matter of water. Such functions cover, inter alia: (1) setting up of potable water protection areas; (2) drafting of the Provincial Plan for the Protection of Potable Water; (3)coordination of activities intended for implementing the above-mentioned Plan; (4) creation and management of waste disposal installations; (5) elaboration of the cadastre of water discharges; (6) inspection; (t) assessment of qualitative and quantitative characteristics as well as classification of waters. On the other hand, article 4 defines the functions which shall be exercised by the Communes. Title II of the Act lays down detailed provisions concerning the utilization of water resources. In particular, Chapter I shall apply to potable water. Priority shall be given to waters destined to human consumption. Other uses are hereby permitted provided that the resources are sufficient and they do not prejudice the quality of waters destined to human consumption. After human consumption, priority shall be awarded to agricultural uses. Chapter II of Title II refers to protection areas for potable water, to be established on the zones and in accordance with the procedure explained under article 16. Chapter III concerns groundwaters. Title III provides for the protection of water, taking into particular account the quality objectives to attain, the Protection Plan (art. 27) and the authorization to water discharges. Title IV regulates surveillance and sets out related penalties.
Provincial Act No. 8 in matter of waters.