Decree No. 24.643 approving the Water Code. Country/Territory Brazil Document type Legislation Date 1934 (1998) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Energy, Sea, Water Keyword Hydropower generation Authorization/permit Navigation Harbour Basic legislation Freshwater resources management Inland waters Freshwater pollution Concession Water rights Pollution control Expropriation Groundwater Surface water Geographical area Amazonia, Americas, Latin America and the Caribbean, North Atlantic, South America, South Atlantic Abstract This Decree establishes the Water Code for public and private water use. It consists of 205 articles divided in three books (1. Waters in general and its property; 2. Water exploitation; 3. Hydraulic Power - Hydroelectric Industry Regulation) defining water uses (including ground- and surface waters) and specifying conditions and requirements to be satisfied in order to perform the aforementioned activity (public and private water exploitation for different purposes, including hydropower generation). It regulates the issuing of water use concessions and authorization which shall be under the competence of the Ministry of Agriculture. The authorization for water falls exploitation for hydropower purpose is specified in the text. In addition, it regulates navigation requirements to be carried out on the territorial seas, streams, canals and lakes of the Union. Everyone is allowed to harvest rainwater through the roof of other people, upon prior indemnification to the owner of this property if they satisfy the following conditions: a) first need of life; b) services for agriculture or industry; c) flow of abundant waters; d) dry or improve lands. Full text Portuguese Website www.planalto.gov.br