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Water Use Permits

Do I need a permit for a well in my backyard?

If the well is strictly for personal household use and not for commercial purposes, a license is generally not required. Commercial wells need a subsoil use license.

What is "MAD" (Maximum Admissible Discharge)?

MAD is a regulatory document that sets limits on the volume and concentration of pollutants that can be legally discharged into a water body from your facility.

Are there fees for using river water?

Yes, any special water use is subject to natural resource usage fees, calculated based on the volume of water abstracted.

Can I discharge treated water back into the river?

Yes, provided you have a valid discharge permit, an approved MAD project, and the water meets environmental quality standards after treatment.

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Water Use Permits and Licenses: Water Resources Management

Water is one of Georgia's most important resources, and its commercial use is strictly regulated. Water use includes both the abstraction of surface water (rivers, lakes) and the extraction of underground fresh and mineral waters. The new "Law on Water Resources Management" adopted in Georgia changes approaches and establishes a permit system for special water use. This applies to hydropower plants, irrigation systems, fish farms, bottling plants, and industrial facilities that consume water or discharge wastewater. Abstracting water without a license or permit, as well as discharging polluted water, leads to high fines. Legal assistance is necessary to navigate the maze of new regulations and gain legal access to water resources.

What Does This Service Cover?

Specialists on Legal.ge offer full legal services in the field of water resources management:

  • Water Use Permit: Obtaining a permit to abstract water from a surface water body (e.g., for HPPs, irrigation systems).
  • Groundwater License: Obtaining a subsoil use license for fresh or mineral water wells.
  • Wastewater Discharge: Developing a project for Maximum Admissible Discharge (MAD) norms and approving it with the National Environmental Agency.
  • Well Legalization: Managing the process of legalizing existing, unregistered wells.
  • Tariffs and Fees: Calculating fees for the use of natural resources (water) and controlling declaration.
  • Environmental Obligations: Preparing a project for sanitary protection zones for water extraction sites.

Common Situations When You Need a Lawyer

Using water resources often generates conflicts and legal problems:

  • HPP Construction: You are building a hydropower plant and need a water use permit, as well as to fulfill the obligation to maintain ecological flow.
  • Fish Farming: You use river water for a trout farm and need approval for a wastewater treatment system.
  • Water Bottling Plant: You want to produce mineral water, which requires buying a license at an auction and strict sanitary protection.
  • Irrigation System: You need to pump water from a river for agribusiness, which requires a permit if the volume exceeds the statutory limit.
  • Pollution Fine: The Environmental Inspection fined you for river pollution, and you want to appeal the protocol or develop a remediation plan.

Georgian Legal Framework

The field is regulated by the Law of Georgia on Water Resources Management (new legislation) and the Law on Subsoil (for groundwater). Government technical regulations "On Technical Regulations for Water Abstraction and Discharge from Surface Water Bodies" are important. Wastewater rationing is regulated by the rule for approving Maximum Admissible Discharge (MAD).

Process: How Collaboration with a Specialist Works

The process includes:

  1. Assessment: Determining the volume and type of water use (surface or underground).
  2. Design: Preparing water abstraction and discharge schemes, as well as the MAD project with engineers.
  3. Permit/License: Submitting an application to the National Environmental Agency or participating in an auction (for groundwater).
  4. Monitoring: Installing and registering water metering nodes.
  5. Reporting: Submitting periodic reports on water use.

Why Choose Legal.ge?

Water legislation in Georgia is undergoing reform, and new regulations pose challenges for many businesses. Legal.ge allows you to find lawyers specializing in environmental and water law. With our help, you can legally use water resources, avoid fines, and ensure a stable water supply for your production. Find an expert on Legal.ge.

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