Groundwater Abstraction (Metering) Regulations, 2010 (L.N. 241 of 2010)

B 2227VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA A.L. 241 tal-2010 ATT DWAR L-AWTORITÀ TA’ MALTA DWAR IR-RIŻORSI (KAP. 423) Regolamenti tal-2010 dwar il-Metering tal-Ilma li Jittella minn Taħt l-Art BIS-SAĦĦA tas-setgħat mogħtija bl-artikolu 28 tal-Att dwar l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Riżorsi, il-Ministru għar-Riżorsi u Affarijiet Rurali, wara konsultazzjoni mal-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Riżorsi, għamel dawn ir-regolamenti li ġejjin: 1. (1) It-titolu ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti hu Regolamenti tal 2010 dwar il-Metering tal-Ilma li Jittella’ minn Taħt l-Art. (2) L-għan ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti hu li jiġi kalkulat permezz ta’ meter l-ilma li jittella’ minn taħt l-art. 2. (1) Kemm-il darba ma jiġix dikjarat xort’oħra f’dawn ir-regolamenti, għandhom japplikaw it-tifsiriet fl-Att. (2) Għall-finijiet ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti u kemm-il darba r-rabta tal-kliem ma tkunx teħtieġ xort’oħra: “akwifer” tfisser strat jew strati ta’ blat taħt il-wiċċ tal art jew strati ġeoloġiċi oħrajn ta’ porożita u permeabbiltà suffiċjenti li jkunu jippermettu, jew tnixxija sostanzjali ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art jew li jittellgħu kwantitajiet sostanzjali ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art; “akwifer ta’ fuq it-tafal” tfisser korp ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art mingħajr konfini li jkun qiegħed jinżamm fl-istrata tal-ġebla tal-qawwa ta’ fuq mill-istrati ta’ tafal li jkunu taħt; “l-Att” tfisser l-Att dwar l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir Riżorsi; “l-Awtorità” tfisser l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Riżorsi kif imwaqqfa bl-Att; Titolu u skop. Tifsir. Suppliment tal-Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta Nru. 18,584, 27 ta’ April, 2010 Taqsima B B 2228 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA “fond residenzjali” għandu jkollha l-istess tifsira kif mogħtija lilha fir-Regolamenti tal-1948 dwar il-Fornitura tal ilma; “ġnien domestiku” tfisser ġnien li mhux ikbar minn 1000 metru kwadru u li jintuża biss ma’ fond residenzjali u li minnu ma jinbiegħ ebda prodott; “il-Ministru” tfisser il-Ministru responsabbli għar riżorsi; “ilma ta’ taħt l-art” tfisser l-ilma kollu li huwa taħt il wiċċ tal-art fiż-żona ta’ saturazzjoni u f’kuntatt dirett mal-art jew mal-ħamrija ta’ taħt; “korp ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art” tfisser volum imdaqqas ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkun jinsab f’akwifer jew f’diversi akwifers; “il-Korporazzjoni” tfisser il-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma mwaqqfa bl-Att dwar il-Korporazzjoni għas-Servizzi tal-Ilma; “kuntrattur” tfisser kull persuna mqabbda mill-Awtorità biex tagħmel kull xogħol meħtieġ taħt dawn ir-regolamenti; “network għad-distribuzzjoni tal-ilma pubbliku” għandu jkollha l-istess tifsira kif mogħtija lilha fir-Regolamenti tal 2004 dwar il-Provvista tal-ilma u s-Servizzi tad-Drenaġġ; “sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art” tfisser kull xaft, mina, ftuħ, toqba, miżra jew bir imħaffer fl-art jew imkabbar b’mezz artifiċjali, li jwassal sa l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jew li minnu jkun imtella’ jew jista’ jkun imtella’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art jew li hu vertikalment iktar fond minn nofs id-distanza bejn il-wiċċ tal bir u l-eqreb ilma ta’ taħt l-art f’dak il-post, iżda ma tinkludix ġiebja; “sors domestiku tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art” tfisser kull sors ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkun jinsab ġo fond residenzjali u fejn l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun jintuża għal skopijiet tad-dar, jew għall-mili ta’ swimming pools, jew għat-tisqija ta’ ġnien domestiku, jew biex jixorbu l-annimali miżmuma bħala annimali domestiċi iżda ma tinkludix maħleb, qasam fejn jitrabbew il-ħnieżer, tjur jew rziezet ta’ fniek jew xi użu ieħor intensiv jew kummerċjali; Avviż tal-Gvern N.G. 133 tal-1948. Kap. 355. A.L. 525 tal-2004. B 2229VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA “uffiċjal” tinkludi kull persuna mqabbda, allokata fuq dmirijiet ma’, jew li b’kull mod ieħor, tkun qed taqdi dmirijiet għal jew f’isem l-Awtorità jew il-Korporazzjoni hekk kif jista’ jkun il-każ; “utent” tfisser il-persuna li, waħedha jew flimkien ma’ oħrajn, ikollha kontroll effettiv tal-użu tal-art fejn ikun jinsab is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art, u għall-finijiet ta’ dawn ir regolamenti kontroll effettiv għall-użu tfisser l-okkupanza ta’ dik l-art; “wellhead” tfisser kull apparat, tagħmir u xogħol ta’ inġinerija meħtieġ mill-Awtorità madwar u maġenb sors tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art bl-iskop ta’ ħarsien tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art mit-tniġgis u jinkludi l-casing tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art; u “żona ta’ saturazzjoni” tfisser dik il-parti ta’ akwifer li fiha il-pori u l-ispazji kollha fil-formazzjoni ġeoloġika jkunu mimlija għal kollox bl-ilma. 3. Is-sorsi kollha tal-astrazzjoni tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art: (a) li ġew mħaffra jew imkabbra qabel is-sena 1955: Iżda dawk is-sorsi ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art biss li, skond id dokumenti tal-Awtorità, jidhru li ġew imħaffra jew imkabbra qabel is-sena 1955 għandhom jiġu kunsidrati mill-Awtorità li ġew hekk imħaffra jew imkabbra; jew (b) li ġew reġistrati b’mod validu bħala sorsi ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art skond ir-Regolamenti tal-1997 dwar ir Reġistrazzjoni ta’ Sorsi tal-Ilma ta’ Taħt l-Art; jew (ċ) li ġew notifikati b’mod validu bħala sorsi ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art lill-Awtorità skond ir-Regolamenti tal-2008 dwar in-Notifikazzjoni ta’ Sorsi tal-ilma ta’ Taħt l-Art; jew (d) li kienu qed jiġu wżati jew li ġew mibnija qabel id dħul fis-seħħ tal-Att dwar l-Awtorità ta’ Malta dwar ir-Riżorsi, u li qegħdin jintużaw mill-Korporazzjoni, għandhom ikunu mkejla b’meter mill-Korporazzjoni jew mill kuntrattur imqabbad minnha u hekk kif ordnat mill-Awtorità: Metering ta’ sorsi tal astrazzjoni tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art. A.L. 255 tal- 2008. B 2230 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda l-Awtorità tista’ tippermetti li sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun eżenti milli jkun imkejjel: (a) jekk ebda pompa jew apparat mekkaniku ieħor ma jkun ġie installat jew użat biex jittella’ ilma minn dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art; jew (b) jekk tinġieb prova mill-utent li jkun proprjetà kulturali taħt l-Att dwar il-Patrimonju Kulturali; (ċ) jekk jiġi dikjarat bħala tali mill-utent li s-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun qiegħed jintuża biss għal finijiet domestiċi mill-abitazzjoni domestika tal-utent u fejn il prodott tal-astrazzjoni li jittellà minn dak is-sors ma jkunx jeċċedi metru kubu kull jum u s-sors ikun itella ilma ta’ taħt l-art minn akwifer ta’ fuq it-tafal; Iżda l-ammont li jista’ jiġi astratt minn dak is-sors ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandu jkun verifikat u stabbilit mill Awtorità wara pump test li jsir mill-Awtorità jew minn kuntrattur mqabbad minnha b’dak il-mod u manjiera li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabilixxi: Iżda ukoll f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mas-sorsi ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkunu operati mill-Korporazzjoni, l-Awtorità tista’ taċċetta metodi ta’ metering eżistenti fl-ordni meta jidħlu fis-seħħ dawn ir-regolamenti. 4. Għal perjodu transitorju ta’ 12-il xahar mid-dħul fis seħħ ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, l-Awtorità tista’ tippermetti b’mod temporanju, li jittellà ilma mhux imkejjel mis-sorsi tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art imsemmija fir-regolament 3 abbażi ta’ kunsiderazzjonijiet ta’ prijorità għall-metering ta’ dawk is-sorsi tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkunu skond regolament 8 ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti. 5. Kemm l-Awtorità kemm il-Korporazzjoni jistgħu jqabbdu kuntrattur jew kuntratturi biex iwettqu xi xogħlijiet imsemmija f’dawn ir-regolamenti, inkluż xogħol relatat mal-installazzjoni ta’ meters u xogħol ieħor li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ dan, qari ta’ meters u ħruġ ta’ kontijiet f’isimha, b’kull mezz, f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam ma’ ilma li jittella’ minn sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art. 6. (1) Il-meters għandhom jiġu provduti u mwaħħla mill Korporazzjoni jew mill-kuntrattur tagħha u dawn għandhom jiġu installati għas-spejjeż tal-utent, f’dik il-parti tas-sit fejn ikun jinsab Kap. 445. Disposizzjonijiet transitarji fir-rigward ta’ installazzjonijiet ta’ meters. Kuntratturi li għandhom jiġu mqabbda għall installazzjoni tal meters. Installazzjoni ta’ meters. B 2231VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA is-sors ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art u li l-Korporazzjoni tista’ tikkunsidra meħtieġ u xieraq u skond dawk l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li l-Awtorità tista tistabilixxi: Iżda f ’dak l i għandu x’ jaqsam max-xogħol u l-installazzjoni tal-meter, il-Korporazzjoni m’għandhiex twettaq li tirrestawra l-art, l-uċuħ ta’ ħitan jew kull dekorazzjoni oħra li tista’ tintmiss fl-eżekuzzjoni ta’ dawk ix-xogħlijiet u l-installazzjoni tal meter. (2) L-utent tas-sors ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun responsabbli li jwettaq dak ix-xogħol preparatorju neċessarju u għandu jikkonforma ruħu ma’ dawk id-direzzjonijiet u struzzjonijiet u f’dawk iż-żminijiet speċifikati li l-Korporazzjoni tista’ tagħti biex issir l-installazzjoni tal-meter skond dawk l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u ħtiġiet tekniċi stabbiliti mill-Awtorità. (3) Ix-xogħol preparatorju għall-installazzjoni tal meter imsemmi fis-subregolament (2) ta’ dan ir-regolament għandu jinkludi, iżda mhux neċessarjament ikun limitat għal, xogħol ta’ inġinerija ċivili li jista’ jkun meħtieġ mill-Korporazzjoni għall kostruzzjoni tal-wellhead u għall-protezzjoni tal-wellhead u dak ix-xogħol għandu jkun ċertifikat minn Perit bħala li jkun sar skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi stabbiliti mill-Awtorità. (4) Meta persuna ma tagħtix aċċess għal sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art lill-Korporazzjoni jew ma tkunx tista’, jew tonqos milli tkun tikkonforma ruħha mal-instruzzjonijiet jew direzzjonijiet tal-Korporazzjoni biex tkun tista’ ssir installazzjoni tal-meter skond dawk il-prekawzjonijiet, speċifikazzjonijiet, ħtiġiet tekniċi jew żminijiet li jistgħu jiġu stabbiliti għal dak il-għan, il-Korporazzjoni għandha tinforma lill-Awtorità li mbagħad tista’ tordna l-għeluq, is siġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għas-spejjeż tal-utent u skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li hija tista’ tistabilixxi għal dak il-għan, u b’ żjieda ma’ dan dik il-persuna tkun ħatja ta’ reat u tista’, meta tinsab ħatja, teħel: (a) priġunerija għal mhux iżjed minn tmintax-il xahar jew multa ta’ mhux inqas minn għaxart elef euro u mhux iżjed minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (b) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull ġurnata li matulha jkompli r-reat: B 2232 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda l-ispejjeż li jkunu saru mill-Awtorità jew mill Korporazzjoni u li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mal-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jiġu rkuprati mingħand l-utent ta’ dak is-sors. (5) Il-meter għandu jkun installat u l-pajpijiet konessi miegħu u l-wellhead għandhom ikunu siġillati u magħluqa b’tali mod kif tista’ tistabbilixxi l-Korporazzjoni. (6) Il-meters għandhom dejjem jibqgħu l-proprjetà tal Korporazzjoni u kull tiswija meħtieġa għal-meters pprovduti mill Korporazzjoni għandhom isiru, jew ikunu permessi li jsiru, mill Korporazzjoni jew mill-kuntrattur tagħha. 7. (1) It-twettiq ta’ kull xogħol ta’ liema xorta jkun li b’xi mod, ikun li jkun, jikkawża bdil, ksur jew tbagħbis tal meter, siġilli jew serraturi fil-wellhead jew fil-meters installati mill-Korporazzjoni hu projbit, kemm-il darba dak ix-xogħol ma jiġix awtorizzat mill-Awtorità jew permezz ta’ awtorizzazzjoni ġenerali jew awtorizzazzjoni speċifika u dak ix-xogħol għandu jsir skond dawk il-linji gwida u speċifikazzjonijiet li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabbilixxi. (2) Persuna tkun ħatja ta’ reat jekk hija tibdel, tkisser jew tbagħbas is-siġilli jew is-serraturi tal-meter jew jekk il meter jinqabeż jew jekk issir xi ħsara lill-meter, xjentement jew b’negliġenza, jew ikunu ġew installati jew mibdula xi fittings b’tali mod li l-meter ma jkejjilx b’mod preċiż il-kwantità ta’ ilma mtella’ mis-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art, u tista’, meta tinsab ħatja, teħel: (a) priġunerija għal mhux iżjed minn tmintax-il xahar jew multa ta’ mhux inqas minn għaxart elef euro u mhux iżjed minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (b) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull ġurnata li matulha jkompli r-reat: Iżda f’kull każ l-Awtorità tista’ tordna l-għeluq, is siġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għas spejjeż tal-utent u skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li hija tista’ tistabbilixxi għal dak l-għan u l-ispejjeż li jkunu saru mill-Awtorità jew mill-Korporazzjoni u li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mal-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jiġu rkuprati mill-utent ta’ dak is-sors. Tbagħbis ma’ meters, siġilli u serraturi. B 2233VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA 8. (1) L-Awtorità għandha tistabbilixxi l-priorità u l-ordni kif is-sorsi tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jiġu mkejla. (2) Il-priorità għall-installazzjoni tal-meters fis-sorsi mnejn jittellà l-ilma jistgħu jkunu bażati fuq: (a) il-karatteristiċi idroġeoloġiċi tal-korpi tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art u kalkoli reġjonali ta’ fejn ikunu jinsabu sorsi tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art; (b) l-użu dikjarat ta’ astrazzjoni; (ċ) id-domanda probabbli għall-ilma miksuba minn sors ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art; (d) L-istat ta’ kwalita’ u kwantita tal-korp tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art u l-miżuri kollha konformi mal-ħtiġiet tar Regolamenti tal-2004 dwar Pjan ta’ Azzjoni fil-Qasam tal Politika tal-Ilma. 9. (1) Il-Korporazzjoni għandha tistabbilixxi l-proċeduri tagħha għal metering ta’ sorsi ta’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art u l-meters jistgħu jinqraw, jiġu spezzjonati jew eżaminati mill-Korporazzjoni jew mill-kuntratturi mqabbda minnha, jew kull meta dan jiġi ordnat li jsir mill-Awtorità. (2) Meta: (a) xi utent, wara li jkun irċieva avviż raġonevoli, jonqos milli jagħti aċċess jew b’xi mod jostakola lil xi uffiċjal tal-Korporazzjoni milli jaqra l-meter; jew (b) xi meter, siġill jew serratura tal-meter jiġu mbagħbsa b’xi mod li jkun; jew (ċ) xi siġill jew serratura jiġu mbagħbsa jew miksura; jew (d) xi utent ifixkel jew jostakola l-qari, jew jikkawża dak it-tbagħbis jew ħsara lill-meter, siġill jew serratura, il-Korporazzjoni għandha tgħaddi biex tagħmel kalkolu tal-ilma mtella’, fid-diskrezzjoni tagħha, abbażi ta’ xi waħda mill-għażliet provduti taħt ir-regolamenti 13: Proċedura għal installazzjoni tal meters. A.L. 194 tal-2004. Qari ta’ meters u spezzjoni ta’ meters, siġilli u serraturi. B 2234 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda dan għandu jkun mingħajr preġudizzju għal kull ħtija oħra tal-utent li jkollu jew għad irid ikollu jew ta’ kull persuna oħra li ma tkunx ħalliet lil uffiċjal tal-Korporazzjoni jidħol: Iżda ukoll f ’kull każ bħal dak, l-aġġustament adatt tal-kont tal-utent dwar dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-konsum għandu jsir meta l-meters ikunu eventwalment inqraw. 10. Id-dritt għal installazzjoni tal-meter u d-dritt ta’ kull sena għall-metering għandu jiġi mħallas lill-Korporazzjoni skond id-drittijiet stabbiliti kif hemm fl-Iskeda li tinsab ma’ dawn ir regolamenti. 11. Jekk xi ammont dovut lill-Korporazzjoni taħt dawn ir regolamenti jibqa’ għal xi raġuni ma jitħallasx sa ħamsa u erbgħin ġurnata mid-data speċifikata fil-kont li jkun jitlob il-ħlas ta’ dak l-ammont, għandu jibda għaddej l-imgħax fuq dak l-ammont bl ogħla rata fis-sena u pro rata permessa bil-liġi għal kull ġurnata li tgħaddi wara dawk il-ħamsa u erbgħin ġurnata sad-data meta jsir il-ħlas u l-Korporazzjoni għandha tgħarraf lill-Awtorità, li tista’ tordna l-għeluq, is-siġillar u t-twaqqif tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għas-spejjeż tal-utent. Jekk il-meter ma jitneħħiex, id-dritt tal-meter ta’ kull sena għandu jibqa’ dovut: Iżda jekk il-meter jkun għadu ma ġiex installat u s-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun ġie magħluq, siġillat u mwaqqaf kif imsemmi hawn qabel, ebda dritt ta’ installazzjoni tal-meter u imgħax m’għandu jkun dovut. 12. (1) Il-Korporazzjoni tista’ f’kull ħin tordna li jsir test tal-meter, jekk ikollha biżżejjed ġustifikazzjoni u, jew jekk tkun hekk ordnata tagħmel mill-Awtorità. (2 ) I l -Korporazz jon i għandha , wara l i s s i r applikazzjoni għaldaqstant mill-utent, tittestja meter u l-utent jista’ jkun preżenti waqt dak it-test. Ir-riżultati ta’ dak it-test għandhom jorbtu kemm lill-utent kemm lill-Korporazzjoni, u l-volum tal-ilma li jkun ittella’ mid-data meta jkun sar l-aħħar qari tal-meter sad data tat-test, jew tat-tneħħija tal-meter għall-fini tat-test, għandu jiġi kalkulat skond ir-riżultat ta’ dak it-test. (3) Id-dritt għal applikazzjoni għat-testing ta’ meter tal-ilma għandu jitħallas kif stabbilit fl-Iskeda li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti: Installazzjoni ta’ meters u ħlas ta’ kejl. Meta ma jitħallsux id drittijiet. Qari ta’ meters. B 2235VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda dan id-dritt għandu jingħata lura jekk wara li jsir it test, il-meter ikun instab li mhux korrett b’aktar minn sitta fil-mija (6%) mill-volum tal-ilma attwalment ittestjat. (4) Meta meter ikun instab l i mhux qiegħed jaħdem sew, il-fatt għandu jkun avżat bil-miktub lill-utent mill Korporazzjoni u l-meter għandu jiġi sostitwit b’meter ieħor. Il-qari li jsir tal-meter il-ġdid fil-waqt tal-installazzjoni għandu jingħata lill-utent jekk dan jitolbu: Iżda l-Awtorità, tista’ tippermetti li sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art temporanjament ma jkollux meter sakemm jiġi installat meter ġdid. 13. (1) Il-volum tal-ilma mtella’ fir-rigward tal-perjodu bejn id-data tal-qari minnufih qabel il-qari li għalih il-meter ikun instab difettuż jew imbagħbas, u d-data tal-installazzjoni tal-meter il-ġdid jew id-data tat-tiswija tal-meter difettuż, skond kif jista’ jkun il-każ, għandu jkun stmat skond is-subregolament (2) ta’ dan ir-regolament. (2) Meta: (a) mal-ittestjar il-meter ikun instab li mhux korrett b’aktar minn sitta fil-mija (6%) mill-volum tal-ilma ttestjat; (b) il-meter ikun ġie mneħħi għat-tiswija; jew (ċ) il-meter kien, jew xi tagħmir li jkollu x’jaqsam miegħu kien ġie installat jew mibdul biex il-meter ma jkejjilx b’mod preċiż il-kwantità ta’ ilma mtella’, il-Korporazzjoni tista’ tikkalkula l-kwantita’ ta’ ilma mtella’ b’riferenza għar-rata medja ta’ ilma mtella’ ta’ kuljum: (i) matul il-perjodu li jkun jikkorispondi għall-aħħar sena preċedenti; jew (ii) matul il-perjodu bejn iż-żewġ qari minnufih qabel il-qari li għalih il-meter ikun instab difettuż jew ġie mneħħi jew instab mhux preċiż; jew Stimi f’każ fejn il-meter ikun instab difettuż jew mbagħbas. B 2236 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (iii) matul il-perjodu bejn id-data tal-installazzjoni tal meter il-ġdid jew tat-tiswija tal-meter difettuż, hekk kif jista’ jkun il-każ, u data sussegwenti li għandha tiġi stabbilita mill Awtorità. (3) Qari speċjali ta’ meters jista’ jittieħed f’kull waqt hekk kif jista’ jkun miftiehem bejn l-utent u l-Korporazzjoni. 14. (1) Kull meta l-utent ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkun imkejjel bil-meter kif imsemmi fir-regolament 3 ta’ dawn ir regolamenti jkun bi ħsiebu jagħmel xi xogħol ta’ manutenżjoni fuq pompa jew apparat mekkaniku ieħor u, jew xogħol fuq xi konnessjoni oħra jew tagħmir ieħor li jintuża sabiex jittella’ l-ilma minn sors ta’ l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkollu meter u dik il-pompa jew apparat mekkaniku jew konnessjoni jew tagħmir ieħor ma jkunx aċċessibli minħabba l-preżenza ta’ siġilli jew serraturi li jkunu provduti u installati mill-Korporazzjoni skond ir-regolament 6 ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti, dak l-utent għandu jippreżenta applikazzjoni bil-miktub lill-Korporazzjoni għas-sospensjoni temporanja tal metering, għall-approvazzjoni tagħha, bil-mod u manjiera li l-Korporazzjoni tista’ tiddeċiedi u dik l-applikazzjoni għandha jkollha magħha bi ħlas għall-applikazzjoni kif stabbilit fl-Iskeda li tinsab ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti: Iżda m’għandu jsir ebda xogħol sakemm ma tinkisibx approvazzjoni bil-miktub għal dawk ix-xogħolijiet mill Korporazzjoni u skond dawk il-kundizzjonijiet li l-Korporazzjoni tista’ tistabbilixxi u skond dawk il-linji gwida u speċifikazzjonijiet li l-Awtorità tista tistabbilixxi. (2) Kull persuna li tagħmel xi xogħol minn dak imsemmi fis-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament jew li ġġiegħel li jsir dak ix-xogħol, mingħajr l-approvazzjoni minn qabel tal-Korporazzjoni, għandha tkun ħatja ta’ reat u tista’, meta tinsab ħatja, teħel: (a) priġunerija għal mhux iżjed minn tmintax-il xahar, jew multa ta’ mhux inqas minn għaxart elef euro u mhux aktar minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (b) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull ġurnata li matulu jibqa’ għaddej dak ir-reat. (3) I l-Korporazzjoni għandha, meta tapprova s-sospensjoni temporanja tal-metering, tispeċifika: Applikazzjoni għal sospensjoni temporanja ta’ metering. B 2237VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (a) id-data meta s-sospensjoni temporanja tal metering għandha tidħol fis-seħħ u d-data meta s-sospensjoni temporanja tal-metering ma tibqax fis-seħħ; u (b) kull kundizzjoni oħra li l-Korporazzjoni tista’ tqis li tkun meħtieġa. (4) Il-Korporazzjoni tista’ tissiġilla s-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art u kull konnessjoni mas-sors għall-perjodu li hija tistabilixxi għas-sospensjoni temporanja tal-metering skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-prekawzjonijiet tekniċi li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabilixxi u li jidhrilha xierqa. (5) L-utent tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jinstab ħati ta’ reat jekk, xjentement jew b’negliġenza: (a) is-siġilli jew is-serraturi jiġu mibdula, miksura jew imbagħbsa; (b) jekk issir xi ħsara lis-siġilli, serraturi jew konnessjonijiet, jew jekk jiġu installati jew mibdula xi fittings matul il-perjodu ta’ sospensjoni temporanja tal-metering, u meta jinsab ħati dak l-utent jista’ jeħel: (i) priġunerija għal mhux iżjed minn tmintax-il xhar, jew multa ta’ mhux inqas minn għaxart elef euro u mhux iżjed minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (ii) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull jum li matulu jibqa’ għaddej dak ir-reat. (6) Kull xogħol li jsir f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mat tneħħija ta’ xi siġill ta’ meter jew siġillar ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandu jsir mill-Korporazzjoni jew mill-kuntrattur tagħha. 15. (1) Meta utent ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun bi ħsiebu jagħlaq, jissiġilla u jwaqqaf sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art, l-utent għandu japplika bil-miktub lill- Awtorità għall-approvazzjoni tagħha, b’dak il-mod u manjiera skond ma’ l-Awtorità tista’ tkun teħtieġ u flimkien ma’ din l-applikazzjoni għandu jitħallas id-dritt għall-applikazzjoni kif stabbilit fl-Iskeda li tinsab ma’ dawn ir regolamenti: Applikazzjoni għall-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif ta’ sors tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art. B 2238 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda ebda xogħol ta’ għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif m’għandu jsir sakemm ma tinkisibx approvazzjoni bil-miktub ta’ dak ix xogħol mill-Awtorità. (2) Kull persuna li tagħmel xi xogħolijiet bħal dawk imsemmija fis-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament jew iġġiegħel li jsiru dawk ix-xogħolijiet, mingħajr l-approvazzjoni minn qabel tal-Awtorità, ikun ħati ta’ reat u, meta jinsab ħati, jista’ jeħel: (a) priġunerija għal mhux izjed minn tmintax-il xahar, jew multa ta’ mhux anqas minn għaxart elef euro u ta’ mhux iżjed minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (b) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull jum li matulu jibqa’ għaddej dak ir-reat. (3) Kull xogħol li jsir skond is-subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament għandu jsir għas-spejjeż tal-utent u dawn għandhom ukoll isiru taħt is-superviżjoni tal-Korporazzjoni jew tal-kuntrattur tagħha: Iżda l-utent m’għandux ikun meħlus mir-responsabbiltà li jkollu biex iħallas id-dritt annwal dovut għall-metering sad-data tal-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif ta’ dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art. (4) L-ispejjeż li l-Awtorità jew il-Korporazzjoni jagħmlu u li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mas-superviżjoni tas-siġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ sorsi tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jitħallsu mill utent tas-sors li jkun ser jiġi siġillat u mwaqqaf. 16. Meter imwaħħal ma’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jista’ jitneħħa f’kull waqt mill-Awtorità, u ebda persuna m’għandha, bl-installazzjoni ta’ meter kif hemm f’dawn ir-regolamenti jew b’eżenzjoni mill-installazzjoni ta’ dak il-meter f’sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art, tivvanta jew titqies li tkun akkwistat xi dritt legali biex ittella’ l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art minn dak is-sors. 17. (1) L-Awtorità għandha tordna l-għeluq ta’ kull sors domestiku tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art fi żmien sitt xhur mid-dħul fis-seħħ ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti ħlief għal kull sors domestiku tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art: Ebda dritt legali biex jittella’ ilma ta’ taħt l-art. Setgħat tal-Awtorità . B 2239VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (a) li ma jkollu ebda pompa jew apparat mekkaniku ieħor installat jew użat biex jittella’ l-ilma minn dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art; jew (b) li jkun jinsab ġo fond residenzjali li ma jkunx jista’ jiġi fornut bi provvista kostanti ta’ ilma mill-Korporazzjoni skond ir-Regolamenti tal-1948 dwar il-Fornitura tal-Ilma, minħabba biss li n-network pubbliku għad-distribuzzjoni tal ilma jkun jinsab iktar minn 50 metru mill-eqreb punt tal-fond residenzjali; jew (ċ) li tinġieb prova dwaru mill-utent ta’ dak is-sors tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jkun proprjetà kulturali taħt l-Att dwar il Patrimonju Kulturali; jew (d) li jkun dikjarat mill-utent permezz ta’ affidavit maħluf quddiem Kummissjunarju b’setgħa li jagħti Ġuramenti bħala sors: (i) li jkun użat biss għal finijiet domestiċi mill abitazzjoni domestika tal-utent; u (ii) li minnu l-produzzjoni tal-ilma li jittella’ minn dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ma tkunx teċċedi metru kubu kull jum; u (iii) l-ilma li jittella’ mis-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art ikun mill- akwifer ta’ fuq it-tafal. (2) L-għeluq, l-issiġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art imsemmi fis-subregolament (1) għandu jsir għas spejjeż tal-utent u skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabbilixxi, u kull spiża li tkun saret mill-Awtorità li jkollha x’taqsam ma’ dak l-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif tas-sors tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jitħallsu mill-utent ta’ dak is-sors tal ilma ta’ taħt l-art. (3) L-Awtorità tista’ f’kull żmien tordna l-għeluq, is siġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jew tillimita l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jittella’ minn xi sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jekk, fil fehma tal-Awtorità, dan ikun meħtieġ biex jillimita l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art li jittella’ għal kull raġuni li tkun, u tista’ għal dak il-għan tagħlaq kull żbokk għall-ħruġ jew konnessjoni u tissiġilla dawk l-iżbokki għall-ħruġ jew konnessjonijiet kif hija tista’ tqis li jkun meħtieġ: B 2240 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Iżda l-utent m’għandux jinħeles mill-ħlas ta’ kull sena għall-metering u kull ħlas ieħor dovut sad-data tal-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif ta’ dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art: Iżda ukoll s-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandu jingħalaq, jiġi siġillat u mwaqqaf għas-spejjeż tal-utent u skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabilixxi u l-ispejjeż li jkunu saru mill-Awtorità u li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mal-għeluq, l-issiġillar u t-twaqqif tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jitħallsu mill-utent ta’dak is-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art. (4) Jekk persuna ttella’ jew tuża l-ilma bi ksur ta’ xi projbizzjoni jew limitazzjoni imposta minn xi ordni, kundizzjoni jew struzzjoni maħruġa mill-Awtorità jew jekk xi persuna ittella’ jew tuża ilma xort’oħra milli skond xi kundizzjoni, ordni jew restrizzjoni hekk imposta, dik il-persuna tkun ħatja ta’ reat taħt dawn ir-regolamenti u tista’ meta tinsab ħatja, teħel: (a) priġunerija għal mhux iżjed minn tmintax-il xahar jew multa ta’ mhux inqas minn għaxart elef euro u mhux iżjed minn ħamsin elf euro; jew (b) multa ta’ mhux iżjed minn elf u tliet mitt euro għal kull ġurnata li matulha jkompli r-reat: Iżda l-Awtorità tista’ tordna l-għeluq, is-siġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għas-spejjeż tal-utent u skond l-ispeċifikazzjonijiet u l-ħtiġiet tekniċi li l-Awtorità tista’ tistabilixxi għal dak il-għan u l-ispejjeż li jagħmlu l-Awtorità jew il-Korporazzjoni u li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mal-għeluq, siġillar u twaqqif tas-sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art għandhom jitħallsu mill-utent ta’ dak is-sors. (5) L-Awtorità tista’ toħroġ direttivi jew tieħu deċiżjonijiet biex tiżgura konformità ma’ dawn ir-regolamenti. 18. L-Awtorità m’għandha tinżamm responsabbli għal ebda telf jew ħsara u m’għandha tagħti ebda kumpens lil xi persuna għal xi telf jew ħsara: (a) kaġunati lil xi persuna minħabba f’xi ħaġa li tkun saret b’konsegwenza tal-metering ta’ xi sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art; Danni u kumpens li l-Awtorità m’għandhiex tkun responsabbli għalihom. B 2241VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (b) kaġunati bl-għeluq, l-issiġillar u t-twaqqif ta’ xi sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art; (ċ) kaġunati minn xi ħaġa li tkun saret biex l-ilma ta’ taħt l-art jiġi limitat jew projbit milli jittella’; (d) kaġunati minn xi att magħmul jew li jibqa’ ma jsirx mill-Awtorità fit-twettiq tal-funzjonijiet tagħha taħt dawn ir regolamenti. 19. (1) Kull uffiċjal jew impjegat tal-Korporazzjoni jew tal-Awtorità li jkun awtorizzat kif imiss jista, f’kull ħin raġonevoli, jidħol f’kull fond li fih ikun jinsab sors tal-ilma ta’ taħt l-art sabiex jiġi żgurat il-ħarsien ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti. (2) Għall-finijiet ta’ kull azzjoni meħuda taħt dawn ir-regolamenti, l-Awtorità tista’ titlob l-għajnuna tal Kummissarju tal-Pulizija, li għandu għal dak il-għan jeżerċita dawk is-setgħat mogħtija lilu bil-liġi f’dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal investigazzjonijiet ta’ reati kriminali. 20. (1) L-Awtorità tista’ timponi piena amministrattiva fuq kull persuna li tikser xi disposizzjoni ta’ dawn ir-regolamenti jew li tonqos milli tkun konformi ma’ xi direttiva mogħtija jew deċiżjoni mittieħda mill-Awtorità biex tiżgura konformità ma’ dawn ir regolamenti. (2) Multa amministrattiva li tiġi mposta taħt is subregolament (1) ta’ dan ir-regolament m’għandhiex tkun inqas minn elf u ħames mitt euro u m’għandhiex teċċedi mitt elf euro għal kull kontravenzjoni u, jew sitt mitt euro għal kull ġurnata ta’ nuqqas ta’ konformità, mid-data tad-deċiżjoni adottata mill Awtorità. 21. Il-pieni provduti f ’dawn ir-regolamenti għandhom japplikaw fil-każ ta’ reat li jkun sar taħt dawn ir-regolamenti, kemm-il darba l-fatt ma jkunx jikkostitwixxi reat aktar gravi taħt il-Kodiċi Kriminali jew xi liġi oħra, meta għandhom japplikaw id disposizzjonijiet li jinsabu fil-kodiċi jew f’kull liġi oħra. 22. Minkejja kull liġi oħra, proċeduri għal reat kontra dawn ir-regolamenti jistgħu ikunu mibdija f’kull waqt fi żmien sitt snin minn meta jkun sar ir-reat. Setgħat ta’ nfurzar. Pieni amministrattivi. Reati u pieni. Bidu ta’ proċeduri. B 2242 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA 1 SKEDA Regolamenti 10, 12(3), 14(1), 15(1) lasijiet Nru. Tip las 1 las gall-installazzjoni tal-meter gal kull sors tal-ilma ta’ tat l-art – Regolament 10 € 765 2 las ta’metering: gal kull perjodu ta’ sena u gal kull sors tal-ilma ta’ tat l-art imkejjel b’meter tat dawn ir-regolamenti – Regolament 10 € 143 fis-sena 3 Applikazzjoni lill-Korporazzjoni gall-ittestjar tal-meter – Regolament 12 (3) € 50 4 Applikazzjoni gas-sospensjoni temporanja tal metering – Regolament 14 (1) € 100 5 Applikazzjoni lill-Awtorita` gall-geluq, siill u twaqqif ta’ sors tal-ilma ta’ tat l-art – Regolament 15 (1) € 50 B 2243VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA L.N. 241 of 2010 MALTA RESOURCES AUTHORITY ACT (CAP. 423) Groundwater Abstraction (Metering) Regulations, 2010 IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by article 28 of the Malta Resources Authority Act, the Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs after consultation with the Malta Resources Authority, has made the following regulations: 1. (1) The title of these regulations is the Groundwater Abstraction (Metering) Regulations, 2010. (2) The purpose of these regulations is the metering of groundwater abstraction. 2. (1) Unless otherwise stated in these regulations, the definitions in the Act shall apply. (2) For the purpose of these regulations and unless the context otherwise requires: “the Act” means the Malta Resources Authority Act; “aquifer” means a subsurface layer or layers of rock or other geological strata of sufficient porosity and permeability to allow either a significant flow of groundwater or the abstraction of significant quantities of groundwater; “the Authority” means the Malta Resources Authority as established by the Act; “body of groundwater” means a distinct volume of groundwater within an aquifer or aquifers; “contractor” means any person contracted by the Authority to carry out any task required under these regulations; “the Corporation” means the Water Services Corporation established by the Water Services Corporation Act; Title and purpose. Interpretation. Cap. 355. B 2244 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA “domestic garden” means a garden that is not bigger than 1000 square metres and that is used solely in connection with a residential tenement whose produce is not sold; “domestic groundwater source” means any groundwater source which is located in a residential tenement and where the groundwater abstracted is used for household purposes, or for the filling of swimming pools, or for irrigation of a domestic garden, or for watering of animals kept as pets but does not include dairies, piggeries, poultry or rabbit farms or any other intensive or commercial uses; “groundwater” means all water which is below the surface of the ground in the saturation zone and in direct contact with the ground or subsoil; “groundwater source” means any shaft, adit, opening, hole, spring outlet or well artificially dug in the ground or artificially enlarged, which has access to groundwater or from which groundwater is extracted or can be extracted or which is vertically deeper than half the distance between the well head and the nearest water table at that point, but it does not include a water retaining cistern; “the Minister” means the Minister responsible for resources; “officer” includes any person engaged by, detailed for duty with, or in any manner whatsoever performing duties for or on behalf of the Authority or the Corporation as the case may be; “perched aquifer” means an unconfined groundwater body sustained in the upper coralline limestone by an underlying layer of clay; “public water distribution network” shall have the meaning as it has in the Water Supply and Sewerage Services Regulations, 2004; “residential tenement” shall have the meaning as it has under the Water Supply Regulations, 1948; L.N. 525 of 2004. G.N. 133 of 1948. B 2245VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA “saturated zone” means that part of an aquifer in which all interconnected openings within the geological formation are completely filled with water; “user” means the person who, solely or jointly with others, has the effective control of use over the land in which a groundwater source is situated, and for the purposes of these regulations effective control of use shall mean the occupancy of the land in question; “wellhead” means any apparatus, equipment and engineering works required by the Authority around and adjacent to a groundwater source for the protection of the groundwater source from pollution and includes the casing of the groundwater source. 3. All groundwater sources: (a) which were dug or enlarged prior to the year 1955: Provided that only those groundwater sources which, in terms of records possessed by the Authority are shown to have been dug or enlarged prior to the year 1955 are to be considered by the Authority as to have been so dug or enlarged; or (b) which have been val idly regis tered as a groundwater source in terms of the Ground Water Sources (Registration) Regulations, 1997; or (c) which have been validly notified as a groundwater source to the Authority in terms of the Notification of Groundwater Sources Regulations, 2008; or (d) which were in use or constructed prior to the entry into force of the Malta Resources Authority Act, and which are used by the Corporation, shall be metered by the Corporation or by its delegated contractor, and in a manner as directed by the Authority: Provided that the Authority may permit a groundwater source to be exempted from metering: Metering of groundwater sources. L.N. 97 of 2007. L.N. 255 of 2008. B 2246 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (a) if no pump or other mechanical device is installed or used to abstract groundwater from such groundwater source; or (b) if it is proved by the user to be a cultural property under the Cultural Heritage Act; (c) if it is declared as such by the user that the source is used solely for domestic purposes by the user’s household and where the abstraction yield from such source does not exceed one cubic metre per day and the source abstracts groundwater from the perched aquifer: Provided that the abstraction yield of such groundwater source shall be verified and determined by the Authority following a pump test carried out by the Authority or its delegated contractor in the form and manner that the Authority may establish: Provided further that with respect to groundwater sources operated by the Corporation, the Authority may accept existing metering arrangements in place at the time of entry into force of these regulations. 4. For a transitory period of 12 months starting from the date of entry into force of these regulations, the Authority may temporarily permit unmetered abstraction from groundwater sources referred to in Regulation 3 on the basis of prioritisation considerations for the metering of such groundwater sources in compliance with regulation 8 of these regulations. 5. Both the Authority and the Corporation may appoint a contractor or contractors to carry out any of the works referred to in these regulations, including works related to the installation of meters and other associated works, meter reading and billing on its behalf, by any means, in relation to the abstraction of water from a groundwater source. 6. (1) Meters shall be provided and fixed by the Corporation or by its contractor and these shall be installed at the expense of the user, in such part of the site where the groundwater source is situated and the Corporation may consider necessary and expedient and in accordance with such specifications and technical requirements established by the Authority: Cap. 445. Transitory provisions with respect to meter installations. Contractors appointed for the installation of meters. Installation of meters. B 2247VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Provided that with regards to such works and to the installation of the meter, the Corporation shall not undertake to restore floors, wall surfaces or any decorations which may be interfered with in the execution of such works and installation of meter. (2) The user of the groundwater source shall be responsible to carry out such preparatory works necessary and shall comply with such directions and instructions and within such specified timeframes that the Corporation may give to enable the installation of the meter to be carried out in accordance with such specifications and technical requirements established by the Authority. (3) The preparatory works for meter installation referred to in sub-regulation (2) hereof shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, civil engineering works that may be required by the Corporation for the construction of the wellhead and for the protection of the wellhead and such works shall be certified by a Perit as being carried out in accordance with such specifications and technical requirements established by the Authority. (4) Where any person denies access to a groundwater source to the Corporation, or cannot, or fails to comply with its instructions or directions to enable the installation of a meter in accordance with such precautions, specifications, technical requirements or timeframes that may be established for such purpose, the Corporation shall inform the Authority who may then order the closure, sealing and decommissioning of such groundwater source at the expense of the user, and in accordance with the specifications and technical requirements that it may establish for such purpose, and in addition such person shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to: (a) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (b) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists: Provided that the costs incurred by both the Authority and the Corporation associated with the closure, sealing B 2248 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA and decommissioning of the groundwater source shall be recovered from the user of the source. (5) Meters shall be installed and the pipe connections and wellhead shall be sealed and locked in a manner as determined by the Corporation. (6) Meters shall remain the property of the Corporation and any repairs required to a meter provided by the Corporation are to be carried out, or caused to be carried out, by the Corporation or by its contractor. 7. (1) The carrying out of any work of whatever nature which in any manner whatsoever causes alteration, breakage or tampering of the meter, seals or locks to a wellhead or meters installed by the Corporation is prohibited, unless such work is authorised by the Authority either through a general authorisation or through a specific authorisation and such work shall be carried out in accordance with such guidelines and specifications as the Authority may establish. (2) Any person shall be guilty of an offence if the seals or locks of a meter are altered, broken or tampered or if the meter is bypassed or if any damage is caused to the meter, wilfully or by neglect, or if any fittings are installed or altered in such a manner that the meter does not accurately measure the quantity of water abstracted from the groundwater source, and shall on conviction be liable to: (a) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (b) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists: Provided that in any case the Authority may order the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source at the expense of the user and in accordance with the specifications and technical requirements that it may establish for such purpose and the costs incurred by the Authority and, or the Corporation associated with the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source shall be recovered from the user of the source. Tampering with meter, seals and locks. B 2249VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA 8. (1) The Authority shall determine the prioritisation and the order by which groundwater sources are to be metered. (2) The prioritisation for the installation of the meters of abstraction sources may be based on: (a) hydrogeological characteristics of groundwater bodies and regional considerations of locations of groundwater sources; (b) declared use of abstraction; (c) likely water demand obtained from a groundwater source; (d) quali tat ive and quanti tat ive status of the groundwater body and any measures pursuant to the requirements of the Water Policy Framework Regulations, 2004. 9. (1) The Corporat ion shall determine i ts own procedure for metering groundwater sources and meters may be read, inspected or examined by the Corporation or its delegated contractor or when directed by the Authority. (2) Where: (a) a user, after receiving reasonable notice, fails to provide access or prevents an officer of the Corporation from reading a meter; or (b) a meter or a seal or lock to the meter is tampered with in any manner whatsoever; or (c) any seal or lock is found to be tampered or broken; or (d) a user hinders or obstructs such reading, or causes such tampering or damage to the meter, seal or lock, the Corporation shall cause an assessment of water abstraction to be made, at its discretion, on the basis of any of the options provided under regulation 13: Provided that this shall be without prejudice to any other liability incurred or to be incurred by the user or any Procedure for installation of meters. L.N. 194 of 2004. Meter reading and inspection of meters, seals and locks. B 2250 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA other person who refuses admission to the officer of the Corporation: Provided further that in any such case the proper adjustment of the groundwater source’s user account in respect of the consumption shall be made when the meters are eventually read. 10. The fee for a meter installation and the annual metering fee shall be payable to the Corporation in accordance with the fees as set in terms of the Schedule of these regulations. 11. If any amount due to the Corporation under these regulations is for any cause not paid within forty-five days from the date specified in the bill requesting payment of such amount, there shall run an interest on such amount at the maximum rate per annum and pro rata permitted by law for every day which passes after the said forty-five days up to the date the payment is effected, and the Corporation shall inform the Authority, which may order the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source at the expense of the user. If the meter is not removed the annual metering fee shall continue to be due: Provided that if the meter has not yet been installed and the groundwater source is closed, sealed and decommissioned as aforementioned, no such meter installation fee and interest shall be due. 12. (1) The Corporation may at any time cause a test of a meter to be carried out, if it has sufficient justification and, or if it is so directed by the Authority. (2) Meters shall, on application by the user, be tested by the Corporation and the user may be present at the test. The results of the test shall be binding both on the user and on the Corporation, and the volume of water abstracted from the date of the last reading of the meter to the date of the test, or of the removal of the meter for the purpose of the test, shall be calculated in accordance with the result of such test. (3) An application fee for testing the water meter shall be charged in accordance with the Schedule to these regulations: Meter installation and metering fees. Failure to pay fees. Meter readings. B 2251VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA Provided that this fee shall be reimbursed if after testing, the meter is found to be incorrect beyond six per centum (6%) of actual volume of water tested. (4) When a meter is found to be out of order, notice of the fact shall be given in writing to the user by the Corporation and the meter shall be replaced by another meter. A record of the reading of the new meter at the time of its installation shall be given to the user at his request: Provided that the Authority may allow a groundwater source to be temporarily unmetered until a new meter is installed. 13. (1) The volume of water abstracted in respect of the period between the date of the reading immediately preceding the reading in relation to which the meter is found to be defective or tampered with, and the date of the installation of a new meter or the date of repair of the defective meter, as the case may be, shall be estimated in accordance with sub-regulation (2) hereof. (2) Where: (a) upon testing a meter is found to be incorrect beyond six per centum (6%) of the volume of water tested; (b) a meter has been removed for repair; or (c) a meter was, or any associated fittings were, installed or altered so that the meter does not accurately measure the quantity of water abstracted, the Corporation may estimate the quantity of water abstracted by reference to the average daily rate of water abstraction: (i) during the corresponding period of the last preceding year; or (ii) during the period between the two readings immediately preceding the reading in relation to which the meter was found to be defective or removed or found inaccurate; or (iii) during the period between the date of the installation of the new meter or of the repair of the defective Estimations in the case where meter is found to be defective or tampered with. B 2252 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA meter, as the case may be, and a subsequent date to be determined by the Authority. (3) Special readings of meters may be taken at any time as may be agreed between the user and the Corporation. 14. (1) Whenever the user of a metered groundwater source referred to in regulation 3 hereof intends to carry out any maintenance work on a pump or other mechanical device and, or any work on any other connection or equipment used to abstract water from a metered groundwater source and which pump or mechanical device and, or connection or equipment is inaccessible due to the presence of the seals or locks provided and installed by the Corporation in accordance with regulation 6 hereof, such user shall submit an application in writing to the Corporation for the temporary suspension of metering, for its approval, in the form and manner as the Corporation may decide and such application shall be accompanied by an application fee as established in the Schedule to these regulations: Provided that no works shall be carried out until approval for such works is obtained in writing from the Corporation and in accordance with such conditions that the Corporation may prescribe and such guidelines and specifications as the Authority may establish. (2) Any person who carries out any such works referred to in sub-regulation (1) or causes such work to be carried out, without the prior approval of the Corporation, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to: (a) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months, or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (b) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists. (3) The Corporation shall, on granting an approval for temporary suspension of metering, specify: (a) the date when the temporary suspension of metering enters into effect and the date when the temporary suspension of metering ceases to have effect; and Application for temporary suspension of metering. B 2253VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (b) any other condition that the Corporation may consider necessary. (4) The Corporation may seal the groundwater source and any connections to the source for the period it establishes for temporary suspension of metering in accordance with the specifications and technical precautions that the Authority may establish and deem fit. (5) The user of a groundwater source shall be found guilty of an offence if, wilfully or by neglect: (a) the seals or locks are altered, broken or tampered; (b) if any damage is caused to the seals, locks or connections, or if any fittings are installed or altered during the period of temporary suspension of metering, and such user shall on conviction be liable to: (i) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months, or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (ii) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists. (6) Any works carried out in connection with the removal of any seals to a meter or sealing of a groundwater source shall be carried out by the Corporation or its contractor. 15. (1) When the user of a groundwater source intends to close, seal and decommission a groundwater source, he shall submit an application in writing to the Authority for its approval in the form and manner as the Authority may require and together with this application there shall be paid an application fee as established in the Schedule to these regulations: Provided that no works to close, seal and decommission a groundwater source shall be carried out until the approval for such works is obtained in writing from the Authority. (2) Any person who carries out any such works referred to in sub-regulation (1) hereof or causes such works to be Application for closure, sealing and decommissioning of a groundwater source. B 2254 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA carried out, without the prior approval of the Authority, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction be liable to: (a) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months, or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (b) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists. (3) Any works carried out in terms of sub-regulation (1) hereof shall be carried out at the expense of the user and shall be carried out under the supervision of the Corporation or its contractor: Provided that the user shall not be relieved of his liability for the payment of any annual metering fee due, until the date of closure, sealing and decommissioning of such groundwater source. (4) The costs incurred by the Authority and, or the Corporation associated with the supervision of the sealing and decommissioning of groundwater sources shall be recovered from the user of the source to be sealed and decommissioned. 16. Any meter installed to a groundwater source may be removed at any time by the Authority, and no person shall, through the installation of a meter in terms of these regulations or through an exemption from the installation of such meter at a groundwater source, purport or be deemed to have acquired any vested rights to abstract groundwater from such a groundwater source. 17. (1) The Authority shall order the closure of any domestic groundwater source within six months from the entry into force of these regulations, except for any domestic groundwater source: (a) to which no pump or other mechanical device is installed or used to abstract water from such groundwater source; or (b) located within a residential tenement which cannot be supplied by a constant supply of water by the Corporation in accordance with the Water Supply Regulations, 1948, solely because the public water distribution network is located No vested rights to abstract groundwater. Powers of the Authority. B 2255VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA more than 50 metres from the nearest point of the residential tenement; or (c) that is proved by the user of such groundwater source as being a cultural property under the Cultural Heritage Act; or (d) which is declared by the user by means of an affidavit sworn before a Commissioner of Oaths as a source: (i) which is used solely for domestic purposes by the user’s household; and (ii) where the abstraction yield from such groundwater source does not exceed one cubic metre per day; and (iii) the water abstracted from the groundwater source is from the perched aquifer. (2) The closure, sealing and decommissioning of a groundwater source referred to in sub-regulation (1) shall be carried out at the expense of the user and in accordance with the specifications and technical requirements that the Authority may establish, and any costs incurred by the Authority associated with the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source shall be recovered from the user of such groundwater source. (3) The Authority may at any time order the closure, sealing and decommissioning of a groundwater source or limit the abstraction of groundwater from any groundwater source if, in the opinion of the Authority, it is necessary to restrict the abstraction of groundwater for any reason whatsoever, and may for such purpose plug any outlets or connections and seal such outlets or connections as it may consider necessary: Provided that the user shall not be relieved from the payment of any metering fee and any other fees due until the date of closure, sealing and decommissioning of such groundwater source: Provided further that the groundwater source shall be closed, sealed and decommissioned at the expense of the user and in accordance with the specifications and technical requirements B 2256 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA that the Authority may establish and any costs incurred by the Authority associated with the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source shall be recovered from the user of such groundwater source. (4) I f any person abstracts or uses water in contravention of a prohibition or limitation imposed by any order, condition or instruction issued by the Authority or if any person abstracts or uses water otherwise than in accordance with any condition, order or restriction so imposed, such person shall be guilty of an offence under these regulations and shall on conviction be liable to: (a) imprisonment for not more than eighteen months, or to a fine (multa) of not less than ten thousand euro and not more than fifty thousand euro; or (b) to a fine of not more than one thousand three hundred euro for each day during which the offence persists: Provided that the Authority may order the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source at the expense of the user and in accordance with the specifications and technical requirements that it may establish for such purpose and the costs incurred by the Authority or the Corporation associated with the closure, sealing and decommissioning of the groundwater source shall be recovered from the user of such source. (5) The Authority may issue directives or make decisions to ensure compliance with these regulations. 18. The Authority shall not be liable for any loss or damage nor shall it pay any compensation to any person for any loss or damage: (a) sustained by any person by reason of anything done in pursuance of the metering of any groundwater source; (b) for the closure, sealing and decommissioning of any groundwater source; (c) for anything done in pursuance of limiting or prohibiting groundwater abstraction; Non liability and compensation incurred by the Authority. B 2257VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA (d) for any act of commission or omission of the Authority in pursuance of the discharge of its functions under these regulations. 19. (1) Any officer or employee of the Corporation or of the Authority duly authorised may, at all reasonable times, enter any premises in which a groundwater source is located to ensure compliance with these regulations. (2) For the purposes of any action taken under these regulations, the Authority may request the assistance of the Commissioner of Police, who shall for such purpose exercise such powers as are vested in him by law in relation to the investigation of criminal offences. 20. (1) The Authority may impose an administrative fine upon any person who infringes any provision of these regulations or who fails to comply with any directive or decision given by the Authority in ensuring compliance with these regulations. (2) An administrative fine imposed under sub regulation (1) of this regulation shall not be less than one thousand five hundred euro and shall not exceed one hundred thousand euro for each contravention and, or six hundred euro for each day of non-compliance, from the date of the decision adopted by the Authority. 21. The punishments provided in these regulations shall apply in the case of an offence committed under these regulations, unless the fact constitutes a more serious offence under the Criminal Code or any other law, in which case the provisions contained in the Code or any other law shall apply. 22. Notwithstanding any other law, proceedings for an offence against these regulations may be commenced at any time within six years from the commission of the offence. Enforcement powers. Administrative fines. Offences and penalties, Commencement of proceedings. B 2258 VERŻJONI ELETTRONIKA 25 SCHEDULE Regulations 10, 12 (3), 14 (1), 15 (1) Fees No. Type Fee 1 Meter installation fee with respect to each groundwater source – Regulation 10 ! 765 2 Metering fee: for every period of one year and in respect of each groundwater source metered under these regulations – Regulation 10 ! 143 per annum 3 Application to the Corporation for testing of meter – Regulation 12 (3) ! 50 4 Application to the Corporation for temporary suspension of metering – Regulation 14 (1) ! 100 5 Application to the Authority for closure, sealing and decommissioning of a groundwater source – Regulation 15 (1) ! 50 Ippubblikat mid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta — Published by the Department of Information (doi.gov.mt) — Valletta Mitbugħ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern fuq karta riċiklata — Printed at the Government Printing Press on recycled paper Prezz/Price €1.49