The administration and development of water works shall be in compliance with this Act or follow the local customs, provided the local customs are not in contravention herein.

Water resources, being part of the natural resources, are owned by the state, and the state ownership is not prejudiced by the land ownership of any persons.

The term “water work” as referred to herein shall mean control or utilization of surface or ground waters by artificial means for the purposes of flood control, tidal wave control, irrigation, drainage, leaching of injurious salt, soil conservation, water reservation, silt dredge, water supply, pier construction, facilitating navigation, and hydro-power development.

The term “authority-in-charge” as referred to herein shall mean the Ministry of Economic Affairs at the central level, the municipal governments at special municipality level, and the county or city governments at the county or city level.