82. Powers and duties in regard to sources of water supply.
- The Secretary or any officer authorised by the Grama Panchayat in this behalf may at any time by written notice require that the owner or any person who has control over any well, stream, channel, tank, or other sources of water supply shall, whether it is private property or not,-(a)if the water is used for drinking,-(i)keep and maintain any such source of water supply, other than a stream, in good repair, or(ii)within a reasonable time to be specified in the notice cleanse any such source of water supply from silt, refuse and decaying vegetation, or(iii)in such manner as the Grama Panchayat directs protect any such source of water supply from pollution by surface drainage, or(iv)desist from using and from permitting others to use for drinking purposes any such sources of water supply, which not being a stream in its natural flow, is in the opinion of the Grama Panchayat unfit for drinking, or(v)if, notwithstanding any such notice under sub-clause (iv) such use continues and cannot, in the opinion of the Grama Panchayat, be otherwise prevented, close either temporarily or permanently, or fill up or enclose or fence in such manner as the Grama Panchayat considers sufficient to prevent such use, such source of water supply, or(vi)drain off or otherwise remove from any such source of water supply, or from any land or premises or receptacle or reservoir attached or adjacent thereto any stagnant water which the Grama Panchayat considers is injurious to health or offensive to the neighborhood;(b)within twenty four hours of such notice repair, protect or enclose in such manner as the Grama Panchayat may direct or approve any source of water supply, whether used for drinking purposes or not , other than a stream in its natural flow, if for want of sufficient repair, protection or enclosure such source of water supply is in the opinion of the Grama Panchayat dangerous to the health or safety of the public or of any persons having occasion to use or to pass by or approach the same.
