Article​​​​​​​ 6. Basic principles of water relations

The basic principles of water relations are:

meeting the water needs of the population, sectors of the economy, and ecosystems through purposeful and comprehensive use of water resources;

priority of providing the population with guaranteed quality and quantity of water for drinking and domestic needs;

priority of protecting water bodies when using them;

ensuring favorable conditions for maintaining optimal condition of water ecosystems and protecting public health;

equality of subjects of water relations;

supporting water saving, rational use, and conservation;

ecosystem approach in water resource management;

integrated management of water resources, coordinated management of surface, groundwater, and return waters;

harmonization of basin and administrative-territorial principles of water resource management and use;

ensuring adaptation of the water management sector to climate change;

preventing, limiting, and reducing water pollution;

introducing market economy and public-private partnership principles into water management;

ensuring openness and transparency of the water resource management process and involving the public in this process;

encouraging scientific and innovative activity in water relations;

compensation for damage caused by violation of water legislation;

protection of the rights and legitimate interests of subjects of water relations.