Section 18 in Kerala Water Supply and Sewerage Act, 1986
18. Vesting of existing water supply and sewerage services under local bodies.
(1)As from the date following the expiry of a period of three years from the appointed day or such further period as may be specified by the Government in this behalf by notification in the Gazette,-(a)all the water supply and sewerage services, sewerage works and sewerage farms including all the plants, machineries, pumping stations, distribution lines and public sewers in, along, over or under any public street and all buildings, lands and other works, materials, stores and things appertaining thereto ;(b)So much of the sub-soil appertaining to the said distribution lines and sewers as may be necessary for the purpose of enlarging deepening or otherwise repairing or maintaining any such distribution lines and sewers or any pipes and other appliances and fittings connected with such water supply and sewerage services and sewerage works; and(c)all rights, liabilities and obligations including the right to recover arrears of water charges, meter hire and of any cost or fees relating to water supply and sewerage services, which immediately before the above mentioned date vested in any local body shall vest in and stand transferred to the Authority.(2)The properties, assets, rights, liabilities and obligations referred to in subsection (1) shall be valued in such manner as the Government may determine.(3)Where any doubt or dispute arises as to whether any property or asset has vested in the Authority or any right, liability or obligation has become the right, liability or obligation of the Authority under this section, such doubt or dispute shall be referred to the Government whose decisions thereon shall be final and binding on the Authority and the local body concerned.(5)[ The Authority shall render necessary technical services to the local bodies for planning, execution and running of water supply and sewerage schemes in the manner prescribed by Government.(6)Every local body is free to start their own water supply and sewerage scheme either individually or as groups of local bodies and to fix their own user charges as may be prescribed.] [Inserted by Act 16 of 2000.]
