The Vanuatu Law Commission has now completed its third round of review on the Water Supply Act and Water Resource Management Act of Vanuatu.

The Law Commission was requested by the Department of Geology, Mines and Natural Resources sometimes in June of 2013 to review the above mentioned legislations on the grounds that both legislations were out-dated, overly complex, and a poor fit with Vanuatu’s current needs, realities and aspirations.

The review of the mentioned legislations considers how to effectively address the following issues:

Water Supply Act Water Resource Management Act

• Water supply managed by two departments Ownership of Water – Water Rights

• Updating of Water Tariffs Definition of River Buffer Zones

• Incorporating a provision in the Act to re-inject Expansion of National Water Resources and

Water Tariff/Revenue Water Protection Zones

• Illegal Tapping

• Water Quality and

• Water Safety Planning

The review of both legislations was completed in a period of six months in all six provinces. Both reports carry recommendations by the Vanuatu Law Commission based on findings from the consultation. All stakeholders, line agencies and seven communities were consulted to ensure that realistic views can be reflected in the reports.