reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 25 - Harmful Animals (§ 261) › § 261 - Piranhas

(a) The possession, acquisition, sale or transfer in Puerto Rico of the fish known as piranha, of the ichthyological group of the Serrasalmus genus, is hereby prohibited.
(b) Any natural or [juridical] person in possession of one or more specimens of said fish shall surrender same to the Secretary of Agriculture for destruction within a term of thirty days from the date of effectiveness of this act. The Secretary of Agriculture shall compensate for each specimen so surrendered to him for destruction, at the price paid therefor, or in default of proof of such price, at the price appraised by an authorized representative of the Secretary. Any specimen of said fish in the possession of any natural or artificial person subsequent to the term above prescribed shall be confiscated and destroyed by any authorized representative of the Secretary of Agriculture without any further requisite or compensation whatsoever.
(c) The Secretary of Agriculture is hereby authorized to use from the budget of regular expenses of the Department of Agriculture the necessary funds to pay the compensation provided in this section for the piranha surrendered to him for destruction.
(d) Any natural or [juridical] person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200), or by confinement in jail for not less than five (5) nor more than fifteen (15) days, or both, in the discretion of the court.
History —June 18, 1965, No. 46, p. 86, §§ 1–4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 262 - Control and reduction of incidence of dental caries

It is hereby declared that it is of high public interest and priority for this Government to ensure the control and reduction of the incidence of dental caries, as well as the establishment of a permanent caries prevention program through the fluoridation of public and private drinking water systems in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 263 - Protection and maintenance of oral health

In order to promote public health through the protection and maintenance of oral health, the Department of Health shall adopt those standards and procedures pursuant to §§ 405 et seq. of this title, also known as the “Act to Protect the Purity of Potable Waters of Puerto Rico” and applicable federal legislation or regulations, to regulate the fluoridation of public water systems in Puerto Rico.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 264 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms or phrases shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) Drinking water.— Means water for human consumption which meets the requirements established in §§ 405 et seq. of this title, known as “Act to Protect the Purity of Potable Water in Puerto Rico” and in the federal law known as “Safe Drinking Water Act”, 88 stat. 1660. Dec. 16, 1974.
(b) Agency.— Means any department, agency or instrumentality of the Government of the United States or of Puerto Rico.
(c) Authority.— Means the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority of the Government of Puerto Rico.
(d) Pollutant.— Means the presence of any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter in the water, which is not authorized or is present in quantities that exceed the limits authorized by the Secretary of Health.
(e) Department.— Means the Department of Health of the Government of Puerto Rico.
(f) Director.— Means the Executive Director of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority.
(g) Fluoride.— Means the chemical element added to drinking water for human consumption with the purpose of preventing dental caries.
(h) Maximum allowable levels.— Means the maximum allowable level of a pollutant in the water supplied to consumers, except in the case of turbidity, where the maximum allowable level is measured at the entrance of the distribution system. The pollutants that have been added to the water under circumstances controlled by the supplier, except those that due to its quality are excluded from this definition. [sic]
(i) Secretary.— Means the Secretary of the Department of Health.
(j) Drinking water system.— Means the system that provides drinking water, through pipelines and other mechanisms, for human consumption. Bottled water is excluded from this definition. This term includes:
(1) Facilities for the collection of water under the control of the system operator, and if the water is used mainly in connection with said system, and
(2) facilities for the collection or pre-treatment of water under the control of the system operator, but that are used mainly in connection with said system.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 265 - Regulation of fluoride levels

The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, shall indicate the following in the regulations promulgated, which are not to be understood as a limitation:
(a) Minimum and maximum allowable levels of fluoride that must be maintained in drinking water fluoridation systems, as well as optimum levels.
(b) Requirements and procedures to maintain the appropriate concentration or optimum levels of fluoride, including equipment, tests, registers and reports.
(c) Requirements to add fluoride to the water system in which the natural level of fluoride is less that the minimum level established in the regulations.
(d) Any other procedures needed for the fluoridation of drinking water.
(e) Monitoring and inspections to be performed by the Department of Health, by the Authority, or by the inspectors or the assistants [to] whom such function is delegated.
(f) Determining the selection of adequate samples and chemical analysis needed to detect the concentration of fluoride in drinking water so that the correct levels of ions can be maintained in used waters.
(g) Maintenance of a data-processing system for quality control of drinking water at all levels.
(h) Requirement of continuous training of the personnel that shall be in charge of the operation, supervision, evaluation and approval of the Water Fluoridation Program.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 266 - Activation and expansion plan to add fluoride

The Aqueduct and Sewer Authority is hereby directed to take samples of [the] drinking water to which fluoride has been added, as well as the concentration of fluoride in used water treatment plants, acquire equipment and all necessary materials to initiate and maintain an activation and expansion plan to add fluoride throughout the drinking water systems in Puerto Rico. Provided, That the standards of the Water Fluoridation Program shall be the responsibility of the Department of Health, while the operational aspect shall be [the] responsibility of the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 267 - Stages of implementation

The Aqueduct and Sewer Authority shall implement the fluoridation system [in] stages within a term that shall not exceed seven (7) years, for which it shall obtain all necessary permits, including those pertaining to discharge. The Department of Health and the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority shall file an annual report with the Legislature on the results and progress [with] compliance and implementation of the provisions of this act, during the next seven (7) years from its effective date.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 268 - Advice of professionals

The Department of Health and the Aqueduct and Sewer Authority shall obtain the advice of expert professionals or contract the services of private companies to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 269 - Education about the benefits of fluoride

The Department of Health is hereby directed to conduct a massive orientation campaign [for] the community on the benefits of fluoride [for] health, and on [the reduced need for] oral hygiene treatments and practices when fluoridated water is consumed. The Authority shall use its resources to train its personnel in security measures for the management and application of fluoride to drinking water. The Department of Health, and not the Authority, shall have the duty to orient and inform the people through the communications media.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 26 - Fluoridation (§§ 262 — 270) › § 270 - Penalties

Any agency or person that intentionally violates the provisions of this chapter or its regulations, or who refuses to comply with an order issued by the Secretary of the Department of Health or by the Executive Director of the Authority, shall incur an offense punishable by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500) for each day that such violation is incurred.
History —Sept. 11, 1998, No. 266, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 27 - Conservation and Recreational Use of Coastal-Terrestrial Zones (§§ 401 — 404) › § 401 - Public policy

It is hereby declared as the public policy of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico that the use and enjoyment of the road and other access to Las Picúas Beach shall belong to the People of Puerto Rico. To such effects, they are hereby declared as public domain property of the People of Puerto Rico.
History —Nov. 1, 1994, No. 121, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 27 - Conservation and Recreational Use of Coastal-Terrestrial Zones (§§ 401 — 404) › § 402 - Supervision by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources

The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources shall see to it that the use of the road and other access to the beach meet the purposes of this chapter and shall take all necessary steps to guarantee said enjoyment without impairing the rights of the private owners in the sector.
History —Nov. 1, 1994, No. 121, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 27 - Conservation and Recreational Use of Coastal-Terrestrial Zones (§§ 401 — 404) › § 403 - Management plan—Planning Board

The Planning Board, with the advice of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, is hereby directed to adopt a management plan and special regulations for Las Picúas Beach Sector of the Municipality of Rio Grande, without impairing the rights of the private owners of properties of twenty- five (25) or more cuerdas (0.97 acre) of land registered in the Property Registry List of the sector, in accordance with the provisions applicable to the zone comprised in the designated Rio Espíritu Santo Natural Reserve, and any adjacent zone that the Board may deem necessary or convenient to include, within eleven (11) months following the approval of this act. The Board shall adjust the regulations which it is hereby instructed to adopt, with its Regulation Number 17 and with the Coastal Zone Management Plan approved by the Governor of Puerto Rico in 1978.
History —Nov. 1, 1994, No. 121, § 3; Aug. 11, 1995, No. 165, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 27 - Conservation and Recreational Use of Coastal-Terrestrial Zones (§§ 401 — 404) › § 404 - Playas Las Picúas—Protection and conservation

In order to protect the environment and preserve the natural resources of the Las Picúas Beach sector of the municipality of Rio Grande, any development with agricultural, residential, commercial or industrial purposes is hereby prohibited in wetlands, maritime-terrestrial zones, coastal waters or submerged lands within the area designated as the Rio Espíritu Santo Natural Reserve. Only residential, recreational and tourist developments shall be allowed in accordance with the management plan and special regulations developed by the Planning Board with the advice of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
History —Nov. 1, 1994, No. 121, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 405 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Act to Protect the Purity of Drinking Water of Puerto Rico”.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 407 - Regulations for drinking water

The Secretary of Health is empowered to publish and enforce necessary Drinking Water Regulations for Puerto Rico, according to the criteria established by the Administrator for public water systems. The regulations shall be promulgated according to the provisions of Act No. 112 of June 30, 1957, known as the Puerto Rico Rules and Regulations Act.
The regulations promulgated by the Secretary shall apply to all public water systems for human consumption.
The Secretary shall include all the necessary procedures, including monitoring and making such inspections as may be required in the regulations promulgated.
The Secretary shall keep such records and make such reports as needed on the activities performed, according to the provisions of this chapter and the regulations promulgated by the Administrator.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 408 - Variances or exemptions

The Secretary may authorize such variances and exemptions to regulations approved pursuant to this chapter, under such conditions and in the manner he deems necessary and desirable; Provided, however, That such variances and exemptions may be granted under such conditions and in such a manner that they are not less rigorous than the variances and exemptions allowed under federal law.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 409 - Imminent danger

When the Secretary receives information that a contaminant is present or may enter a public water system and may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons, he shall take such actions as he may deem necessary in order to protect their health.
The action the Secretary may take shall include, but shall not be limited to: (1) issuing such orders as may be necessary to protect the health of persons who may use such systems (including travellers), and (2) commencing a civil action, including permanent or temporary injunction.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 410 - Plan to supply water in emergency

The Secretary shall promulgate an adequate plan to supply drinking water in a state of emergency. When the Secretary deems that there is a state of emergency in which there is a need to supply drinking water, he may take such actions as he deems necessary for water to be supplied to such places where it is not available.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 411 - Notice to users

In those cases where a public water system:
(a) Does not comply with the drinking water regulations;
(b) does not establish the monitoring system required by regulations approved by the Secretary;
(c) is subject to a variance granted because it is unable to comply with the requirements respecting the maximum level of contaminants;
(d) is subject to an exemption, or
(e) does not comply with the prescribed requirements for a variance or an exemption, the public water system shall immediately notify the local public health office, the Secretary and the communications media, which are in the area served by the supply system, of the situation and the nature and extent of possible adverse effects to public health. The notice may also be published in a daily newspaper of general circulation (as determined by the Secretary) at least once every three months while the violation or variance exists, or the exemption continues. The notice may be included in at least one water bill issued to the users of the system. Provided, however, that the Secretary may prescribe by regulation an alternate form and manner of giving such notice.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 412 - Prohibitions

Any person who willfully fails to comply with the regulations promulgated by the Secretary and the conditions imposed pursuant to a variance or exemption granted under this chapter, or who willfully refuses to comply with the provisions of § 411 of this title, or who fails to comply with any order issued by the Secretary, shall incur in a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 413 - Penalties

Any person who willfully violates the provisions of § 411 of this title, who violates the regulations promulgated by the Secretary, or who willfully violates or refuses to comply with an order issued by the Secretary, shall be subject to a civil penalty not greater than five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day of such violation or failure to comply with regulations.
The Secretary may file a petition for a restraining order or injunction to prevent the violation of any order or regulations issued under this chapter.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 414 - Additional powers of Secretary

In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary is authorized to:
(1) Perform any or all such actions as are needed to carry out the purposes and requirements of this chapter with regard to the approval of the regulations required to enforce it.
(2) Enter into the contracts and agreements he deems pertinent with state or federal agencies, municipalities, educational institutions and other organizations and individuals.
(3) Receive economic and technical assistance from the federal government and any other public or private agency.
(4) Participate in similar programs with the federal government, other states, public and private agencies and any other organization.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, § 10.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 28 - Protection of Drinking Water Purity (§§ 405 — 415) › § 415 - Drinking Water State Revolving Fund of Puerto Rico

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund of Puerto Rico, created pursuant to §§ 1901 et seq. of Title 3, shall be constituted independently and separately from any other fund or resources of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, pursuant to the provisions of, and for the exclusive purposes established by Title I of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The Department Health is hereby authorized to administer the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund of Puerto Rico pursuant to the provisions of Title I of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and in order to do so, without it being understood as a limitation, it may request, accept and receive all those existing capitalization donations, to enter or execute agreements on capitalization donations, with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, for its English acronym), and receive the matching of funds from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico required under Title I of the Safe Drinking Water Act, to deposit said donations and the matching of funds in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund of Puerto Rico and do any other things required by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, with respect to the administration of the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund of Puerto Rico with regard to the provisions of any agreement signed by the Department of Health, the Authority, and the Environmental Quality Board. The Department may contract any individual or entity to carry out any of its responsibilities established in this section.
History —July 21, 1977, No. 5, p. 547, added as § 11 on Dec. 26, 1997, No. 193, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 29 - Development of Renewable Energy (§§ 416 — 417) › § 416 - Public policy

The public policy of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall henceforth be the following:
(a) To stimulate the development of renewable energy and exploit clean and inextinguishable energy sources.
(b) To ensure property tax exemption of equipment for the capture, accumulation, generation, distribution and application of renewable energy for local commercial, industrial or domestic use.
(c) To promote fiscal incentives such as deductions and/or credits for the development, manufacture and marketing of renewable energy equipment.
History —Sept. 16, 2004, No. 325, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 3 - Water Protection (§§ 231 — 417) › Chapter 29 - Development of Renewable Energy (§§ 416 — 417) › § 417 - Definitions

For purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings stated below:
(a) Government of the Commonwealth.— Shall mean the Commonwealth, its departments, agencies, instrumentalities and dependencies, municipalities and public corporations.
(b) Renewable energy.— Are sources of energy, such as solar energy, eolic energy, hydraulic energy, biomass energy, the energy from the difference in oceanic temperatures, ocean energy, wave energy and tidal energy, among others, whose use is clean, reliable, safe and sustainable.
(c) Renewable energy capture equipment.— Equipment whose main purpose is the capture of energy issued by a natural source.
(d) Renewable energy accumulation equipment.— Equipment whose main purpose is the storage of energy as gathered by the capture equipment.
(e) Renewable energy generation equipment.— Shall mean equipment whose main purpose is the production of useful energy from the renewable energy source.
(f) Renewable energy distribution equipment.— Equipment whose main purpose is to conduct the energy from the capture equipment to the location for its final use.
(g) Renewable energy application equipment.— Equipment whose main purpose is the exploitation of the renewable energy to be used in a direct and specific operation.
History —Sept. 16, 2004, No. 325, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART I - Ownership of Terrestrial Waters (§§ 501-503 — 561-570) › Chapter 53 - Ownership of Running Water, Springs and Streams (§§ 521 — 522-533) › § 521 - Public waters defined

The following are public or of public ownership:
(1) Waters which rise continuously or intermittently on lands of public ownership.
(2) Continuous or intermittent waters of springs and creeks which run through natural channels.
(3) Rivers.
History —Law of Waters, art. 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter I - Generally (§§ 601 — 604) › § 601 - Bed or channel of intermittent stream defined

The natural bed or channel of intermittent streams formed by pluvial waters is the land they cover during their ordinary flow in the ravines or hollows through which they run.
History —Law of Waters, art. 28.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter I - Generally (§§ 601 — 604) › § 602 - Channels crossing private estates

The channels referred to in the foregoing section which cross private estates, are private property.
History —Law of Waters, art. 29.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter I - Generally (§§ 601 — 604) › § 603 - Public channels

Channels which are not private property are of public ownership.
History —Law of Waters, art. 30.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter I - Generally (§§ 601 — 604) › § 604 - Ownership does not authorize diversion of water

The private ownership of channels of streams of pluvial waters does not carry with it authority to do or construct any works which may cause a deviation of the water from its natural course, to the prejudice of a third person, or whose destruction by the force of the flow may cause damage to estates, factories, or establishments, bridges, roads, or towns situated farther downstream.
History —Law of Waters, art. 31.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter II - Riverbeds, Banks, and Margins of Rivers and Creeks (§§ 611 — 615) › § 611 - Natural bed of river or creek defined

The natural bed or channel of a river or creek is the land covered by its waters at their ordinary high-water mark.
History —Law of Waters, art. 32.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter II - Riverbeds, Banks, and Margins of Rivers and Creeks (§§ 611 — 615) › § 612 - Ownership of beds of creeks

The beds of creeks belong to the owners of the estates they cross, with the limitations established by § 604 of this title with regard to the beds of pluvial waters.
History —Law of Waters, art. 33.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter II - Riverbeds, Banks, and Margins of Rivers and Creeks (§§ 611 — 615) › § 613 - Beds of public ownership

The following are of public ownership:
(1) The beds or channels of creeks not comprised in the foregoing section.
(2) The natural beds or channels of rivers to the extent covered by the waters thereof during their highest ordinary rise.
History —Law of Waters, art. 34.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter II - Riverbeds, Banks, and Margins of Rivers and Creeks (§§ 611 — 615) › § 614 - Banks and margins defined

Banks are understood to be the lateral strips of the beds of rivers comprised between the low-water mark and the mark reached by the water during the greatest ordinary rise, and margins, the lateral zones which adjoin the banks.
History —Law of Waters, art. 35.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter II - Riverbeds, Banks, and Margins of Rivers and Creeks (§§ 611 — 615) › § 615 - Rights of way

Banks, even though they be private property under a former law or custom, are subject throughout their entire length, and margins for a zone of three meters, to a right of way for public use in the general interest of navigation, the floating of logs or rafts, fishing, and salvage.
Nevertheless, when the topography of the land or other legitimate causes should so require, the zone of this right of way shall be widened or reduced and all interests conciliated in so far as possible.
The regulations will set forth when, in what cases, and in what form the distances prescribed in this section may be changed.
History —Law of Waters, art. 36.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter III - Beds and Banks of Lakes, Lagoons, or Ponds (§§ 621 — 623) › § 621 - Bed of lake, lagoon, or pond defined

The bed or bottom of a lake, lagoon, or pond is the land it covers at its greatest ordinary height.
History —Law of Waters, art. 37.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter III - Beds and Banks of Lakes, Lagoons, or Ponds (§§ 621 — 623) › § 622 - Ownership

The beds of lakes, lagoons, or ponds which do not belong to the State, a province, or a municipality, belong to the owners of the adjoining estates, as do those which are private property under a special title of ownership.
History —Law of Waters, art. 38.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter III - Beds and Banks of Lakes, Lagoons, or Ponds (§§ 621 — 623) › § 623 - Rights of way

The banks of navigable lakes which are under cultivation are subject to a right of way for salvage in case of shipwreck, in accordance with the provisions of the law of ports relating to property adjoining the sea, and to a right of way for loading and unloading, mooring of vessels, and other navigation services at such points as the authorities may designate.
History —Law of Waters, art. 39.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 631 - Lands temporarily flooded

Lands temporarily flooded by the waters of lakes, or by creeks, rivers, or other streams, shall remain the property of their respective owners.
History —Law of Waters, art. 40.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 632 - Abandoned river channels

River channels which are abandoned through the natural deviation of the course of the waters belong, throughout their entire length, to the owners of the riparian lands. If the abandoned channel separates estates belonging to different owners, the new dividing line shall run at an equal distance from both.
History —Law of Waters, art. 41.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 633 - New channels through private property

When a navigable river, or one down which it is possible to float logs or rafts, should naturally change its direction and open a new channel through a private estate, such channel shall become public property. The owner of the estate shall recover it whenever the water again leaves it, whether naturally or on account of works legally authorized for the purpose.
History —Law of Waters, art. 42.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 634 - Public channels becoming dry

Public channels which become dry as a consequence of works authorized by a special concession become the property of the grantees, unless otherwise provided in the conditions of the concession.
History —Law of Waters, art. 43.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 635 - Relictions carried to other estates

When the current of a creek, torrent, or river segregates from its bank a known section of land and carries it to an opposite or lower estate, the owner of the estate to which the bank segregated belonged retains the ownership of the section of land segregated.
History —Law of Waters, art. 44.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 636 - Relictions isolated in channels

If the known section of land segregated from a bank is isolated in the channel, it continues to belong unconditionally to the owner of the land from whose bank it was segregated.
The same shall be the case if a river divides into creeks and surrounds and isolates a section of land.
History —Law of Waters, art. 45.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 637 - Islands formed in rivers

Islets which are formed in rivers by the successive accumulation of relictions from above belong to the owners of the margins or banks nearest thereto, or to the owners of both banks if the island be situated in the middle of the river, in which case they will be divided longitudinally in half.
If a single islet thus formed should be at a greater distance from one margin than from the other, the owner of the nearest margin shall be the sole and exclusive owner thereof.
History —Law of Waters, art. 46.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 638 - Increase caused by accretion or sediment

The gradual increase of lands adjoining creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes caused by accretion or detritus shall belong to the riparian owners. Mineral sediments which are to be used as such must be applied for in accordance with the provisions of the mining laws.
History —Law of Waters, art. 47.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 639 - Animals and other property swept away

Any person may pick up and save animals, timber, products of the soil, furniture, or other products of industry which may have been swept away by the current of public waters or which may be submerged therein, and immediately turn them over to the local authority, who shall direct that they be placed under custody or that they be sold at public sale when it is not possible to keep them. The salvage shall be advertised in the town in which found and in the towns lying above it, and if the owner should file his claim within six months, the object or its value shall be delivered to him, upon payment of the cost of keeping it and the salvage fee, which shall consist of ten percent (10%). Upon the expiration of such period without the owner having filed any claim, he shall forfeit his rights, and everything shall be returned to the person who recovered it, upon payment of the cost of keeping.
The provisions of the foregoing paragraph shall not apply when the owner of the objects contributes to their salvage.
History —Law of Waters, art. 48.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 640 - Brushwood, branches, and firewood

Brushwood, branches, and firewood floating on the water which lodge in the channel or on lands of public ownership belong to the first person who may gather the same; those left on lands of private ownership belong to the owners of the respective estates.
History —Law of Waters, art. 49.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 641 - Trees uprooted and carried away

Trees uprooted and carried away by the rush of waters belong to the owner of the land where they lodge, if not claimed within one month by their former owners, who shall be obliged to pay the cost of securing the trees or placing them in a safe place.
History —Law of Waters, art. 50.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART II - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, and Margins, Accretions, Protective Works, and Drainage of Lands (§§ 601 — 671-679) › Chapter 65 - Riverbeds or Channels, Banks, Margins, and Accretions (§§ 601 — 642) › Subchapter IV - Accretions, Relictions, and Sediment of Waters (§§ 631 — 642) › § 642 - Submerged objects

Objects submerged in public channels continue to be the property of their owners; but if they should fail to remove them within a period of one year, they shall become the property of the persons who may do so after securing permission from the local authorities. If the objects submerged should constitute an obstacle to the current or to passage, the authorities shall grant the owners a reasonable period, upon the expiration of which, without the owners having availed themselves of their rights, they shall be removed as if they had been abandoned.
The owner of objects submerged in waters of private ownership shall apply for permission to the owner thereof to remove them, and if the owner should refuse permission it shall be granted by the local authority upon bond for losses and damages being given.
History —Law of Waters, art. 51.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 701 - Lower tenements obliged to receive natural flow; damages

Lower tenements are obliged to receive the water flowing naturally and non-artificially thereon from higher tenements as well as the stones or earth which such water carries with it in its course. But if the water has been brought to the surface by artificial works or is the overflow from irrigating ditches, or issues from industrial establishments, which have not acquired such rights of way, the owner of the lower tenement shall be entitled to damages.
The owners of lower estates or establishments may object to receiving the overflow from industrial establishments which contains or carries with it dissolved noxious substances which have been introduced therein by the owners of such establishments.
History —Law of Waters, art. 69.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 702 - Relief from right of way and waiver of damages

If in any of the cases of the foregoing section, which grants the lower tenement a right to recover damages, the owner of such tenement should find it convenient to give an immediate outlet to the water in order to relieve himself of the right of way, without prejudice to the higher estate or to third persons, he may do so at his own expense, or temporarily make use of such water, if he wishes, waiving his right to damages in the meantime.
History —Law of Waters, art. 70.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 703 - Constructions on servient tenement

The owner of the lower or servient tenement also has the right to construct thereon moats, dikes, or walls, which, while not interfering with the course of the waters, will tend to regulate their flow or permit their use in a proper case.
History —Law of Waters, art. 71.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 704 - Constructions on dominant tenement

The owner of the higher or dominant tenement may likewise construct thereon sloping banks, jetties, or walls, which without burdening the servitude upon the lower tenement, will lessen the force of the stream of water and prevent it from carrying with it vegetable soil or causing damage to the estate.
History —Law of Waters, art. 72.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 705 - Damages caused by changing outlet

When the owner of an estate changes the outlet of water brought to the surface in accordance with the provisions of §§ 21 and 68 of this Act and thereby causes damage to a third person, the latter may demand damages. The diversion or suppression of the use of surplus water by those who enjoy the same only temporarily shall not be considered damage.
History —Law of Waters, art. 73.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 75 - Natural Rights of Way (§§ 701 — 706) › § 706 - Removal of obstructions

When the water deposits stones, brush, or other objects on an estate which interfere with its natural course and may block the channel, causing floods, a diversion of the water or other damages, the persons interested may require the owner of the estate to remove the obstacle or permit them to remove it. If damages lie they shall be paid by the person causing them.
History —Law of Waters, art. 74.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE TWELVE - Conservation (§§ 1-16 — 8162) › Subtitle 4 - Water Law (1903) › PART III - Water Rights (§§ 701 — 785p) › Chapter 77 - Legal Servitudes (§§ 721 — 784) › Subchapter I - Aqueduct Servitude (§§ 721 — 747) › § 721 - Compulsory aqueduct servitude

A compulsory aqueduct servitude may be imposed for the conveyance of waters intended for public service not requiring the condemnation of lands. It is the duty of the Colonial Secretary to decree the servitude in works in charge of the State, and of the governor of the Province in provincial and municipal works, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the regulations.
History —Law of Waters, art. 75.