(1) On the advice of the Agency and for the purpose of protecting the quantity or quality of water in any gathering ground the Minister may, by order published in the Gazette and at least 2 newspapers in general weekly circulation in Saint Lucia—
(a) define an area of land around a gathering ground which is in need of protection;
(b) prohibit or regulate the doing within that area of land of any act specified in the order; and
(c) construct mechanisms to restrict access to that area of land.
(2) Where an order is published in the Gazette under subsection (1), the Government shall pay adequate compensation to the owner of the land for the loss of the use prohibited or regulated.
(3) Despite subsection (1)(b), the acts prohibited or regulated by the order made by the Minister under this section shall include—
(a) the placing, deposit or discharge within the area of material of any kind that is likely to impair the quality or significantly reduce the quantity of the water or the storage capacity of the gathering ground;
(b) such other acts or omissions as may be considered likely to impair the quality or significantly reduce the quantity of the water or the storage capacity of the gathering ground.
(4) A person who contravenes an order made under this section commits an offence and upon summary conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both. (Substituted by Act 3 of 2016)