Water supply is an essential element in any civilized society. In the Russian Federation, water supply to the population is regulated by law. This article will comment on the 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation".
General characteristics of the law
To begin with, it’s worth revealing the concepts enshrined in the presented regulatory act. What is water supply? According to the law, this is the preparation, transportation and supply of drinking or industrial water to people in the country. It doesn’t matter if a person is a Russian citizen, a foreigner or a stateless person: if he receives water, he automatically acquires the status of a subscriber. The subscriber in the considered law refers to persons who have concluded a contract for the supply of water.
The second important concept, enshrined in article 2 No. 416-FZ "On water supply and sanitation", is just water diversion. A fluid treatment procedure that would help ensure optimal quality of industrial or drinking water is called wastewater disposal. It must be said that this is a rather important and complicated procedure, regulated only by law. Both supply and diversion are implemented on the water supply network.
On the principles and objectives of the law
Why do we need 416- "On water supply and sanitation"? The provisions of the normative act indicate the achievement of the following goals, enshrined in law:
- work to improve the energy efficiency of the water supply network;
- protecting the health and life of Russian citizens by supplying them only with high-quality water - both cold and hot;
- supporting the principle of accessibility of water supply;
- timely inspection and repair of central water supply systems, etc.
It is also worth talking about the principles on which the entire system in question should be based. This is the priority of providing the population with water, ensuring technological unity, achieving and maintaining a balance of financial interests, openness of water supply enterprises and much more.
Executive role
As you know, it is the executive branch of government that is obliged to ensure a decent standard of living in the Russian Federation. Chapter 2 No. 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation" deals with the main powers of the Russian executive bodies in this area. In particular, it is worth paying attention to the functions of the government:
- approval of rules and requirements for water supply companies and networks;
- approval of the rules of commercial accounting of the supplied product;
- the implementation of quality control and evaluation activities in the field;
- fixing tariff regulation rules;
- calculation of rates of return on capital;
- approval of special standards, etc.
Thus, the Russian government has the most important and common functions. Subjective executive bodies contain simpler duties that are important only within the boundaries of a particular region.
Water Supply Requirements
The general rules for the functioning of the entire system under consideration are enshrined in article 7 of Federal Law No. 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation". The most important and important rule is the implementation of professional duties by the water system authorities only in strict accordance with the law. Agreements must also be made with those who operate the system. A water supply without registering special documents will be regarded as a violation of the law, because a product must be charged. Water suppliers should maintain a list of subscribers, which would allow them to determine the time for charging and conducting control activities.
A considerable number of requirements have been established with respect to subscribers. It is worth noting the timely payment for the use of the product, the installation of special equipment for water consumption, the permission to inspect the systems of individual state authorities, etc.
Quality assurance
Chapter 4 of Federal Law 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation" deals with the parameters for ensuring a quality supply and consumption of water. Thus, management companies must submit to subscribers a product that strictly complies with the requirements established by law. Sources of water should be only agreed wells, and the product itself should not contain impurities in excess of the established norm. Provide control over production and supply should state bodies and local authorities.
Even more stringent requirements are secured to ensure the quality of hot water. Here it is worth noting the temperature, which should not go beyond the established marks, the maximum amount of impurities and other features. In the event that sanitary and epidemiological authorities have identified violations, manufacturers and suppliers will be held liable with appropriate sanctions. Such a norm is enshrined in Article 25 of the Law of the Russian Federation 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation".
About tariff regulation
Chapter 6 N 416- "On Water Supply and Sanitation" sets forth the main activities in the field of water supply. Here is what the normative act indicates:
- transportation, distribution and transportation of water;
- connection of a water supply system to centralized authorities.
There are a number of tariffs legally subject to state regulation. Here are some things to watch out for:
- drinking water - cold and hot;
- water as a technical product;
- transportation and transportation of water.
For all of the above items, a number of separate tariffs are legally established. A tariff is a monetary tax on citizens for using goods or for selling a service. In the water supply system there is a separate authority related to the executive Russian government. This instance is called the tariff regulatory authority. Here, prices for the use of water or special services that are in compliance with the standards are set, questions are raised about raising or lowering tariffs, about benefits, discounts, etc.
Technical support
Articles 37-38 No. 416-FZ "On Water Supply and Sanitation" refer to the procedure for the technical inspection of the supplied product. For what purposes is this procedure implemented? It should be noted:
- creation of economic efficiency of technical solutions;
- modernization work with existing systems;
- determination of technical characteristics in the system under consideration;
- technical inspection implementation and much more.
The examination is carried out by special bodies that work strictly in accordance with the law.