Water Rights Act 1959. Country/Territory Austria Document type Legislation Date 1959 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Water Keyword Basic legislation Water rights Expropriation Flood Policy/planning Public water Water users' associations Pollution control Enforcement/compliance Groundwater Authorization/permit Geographical area Europe, European Union Countries, Western Europe Entry into force notes The present Act enters into force on 1 November 1959. Abstract The present Act enacts provisions relating to water rights in Austria. Water is either public or private. Article 2 defines public waters, i.e. rivers, streams, brooks, canals, lakes and their arms, private waters are inter alia, groundwater existing on the territory of a private owner. The text consists of 80 articles divided into 7 Parts as follows: Legal quality of waters, division of waters (1); Use of waters, entitlement to use water (2); Cleansing and protection of waters (3); Defence from Full text German Website www.ris.bka.gv.at References - Legislation Implemented by Navigation Act. Legislation | Austria | 1997 Keyword: Navigation, Inspection, Authorization/permit, Public water, Harbour, Water charges, Water rights, Internal trade, Research, Inland waters Source: FAO, FAOLEX Amended by Agricultural Amendment Act 2005. Legislation | Austria | 2005 Keyword: Viticulture/oenological practices, Afforestation/reforestation, Research, Animal feed/feedstuffs, Fertilizers/nutrients, Plant protection, Water rights Source: FAO, FAOLEX Federal Act amending the Water Rights Act 1959. Legislation | Austria | 2006 Keyword: Water supply, Authorization/permit Source: FAO, FAOLEX Federal Act amending the Water Rights Act 1959, the Water Resources Management Act 1985 and repealing the Hydrography Act. Legislation | Austria | 2003 Keyword: Freshwater resources management, Water supply, Public water, Water rights Source: FAO, FAOLEX