The policy of the WDD as regards developments which are adjacent to streams or crossed by streams
Any development which is adjacent to a stream or is crossed by a stream must be planned, executed/ constructed and function in accordance with the provisions of the laws on the protection of streams and riparian areas and the law on Floods. The specific laws are the following:
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 | i) | The protection and Management of Water Laws (European Directive 2000/60/EC) the purpose of which is to establish a framework for the protection of surface and underground water preventing the further worsening, protecting and improving the status of water ecosystems and promoting the sustainable management of water on the basis of a long-term protection of available water resources. |
| ii) | The Assessment, Management and Handling of Floor Risks Laws (European Directive 2007/60/EC) the purpose of which is to establish a framework for the assessment and management of floor risks so as to reduce the negative impact of floods on human health, the environment, the cultural heritage and the financial activities of the country. |
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| The Integrated Water Management Laws which confer the “integrated management of water to the Water Development Department, through the framework of the general water policy defined by the Council of Ministers”. The said laws confer the general control and monitoring of all issues relating to the management of natural streams, to the Director of the Water Development Department (WDD) and prohibits any person from making any form of intervention on a river bank, wall or bed, unless such person has obtained a prior permission of the Director of the WDD, subject to any terms that he may impose.
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The policy followed by the WDD in the case of developments adjacent to streams or crossed by streams is based on the relevant provisions of the above laws and are summarised as follows:
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| 1) | Where developments are crossed by streams, a full hydrological and hydraulic study and an assessment of floods for the area must be prepared, based both on its existing and fully developed status so as to prove the adequate drainage of the same and the upstream area and the safe channelling of flood facilities in the area. |
| 2) | Any applications for planning permits for the development of areas which are either adjacent to or include sections of streams/ streams must be forwarded to the WDD for views. |
| 3) | The WDD does not approve the coating of sections of streams/ streams with low water permeability materials unless in special cases which concern crossings/ junctions of roads and public utility works for which there is no alternative solution. |
| 4) | The WDD does not approve the enclosure or undergrounding of sections of streams/ streams unless in special cases such as crossings/ road junctions and public utility works for which there is no alternative solution. |
| 5) | The WDD does not approve the cancellation of sections of streams/ stream unless in special cases unless the upstream start of streams (the catchment area must not exceed 0.1 km2 and where there is a naturally formulated bed, it must not exceed 0.05 km2) and only after relevant hydrological studies show that the flows after the cancellation of the water stream may be safely channelled from the immediate downstream section of the water stream intended to be cancelled. |
| 6) | The WDD does not approve the dislocation of sections of water streams/ water streams unless in special cases where due to the morphology of the area, the dislocation will not cause flooding problems either to the immediate area or adjacent properties.
Provided that the dislocated sections of water streams/ water streams must not be coated with low water permeability materials unless in special cases and where this will not cause flooding problems either to the immediate area or adjacent properties. |
| 7) | The bed of the water stream must remain empty so as to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of water along it. |
| 8) | Areas (stripes) at both sides of the registered bed of the water stream of a width of 3-10 metres (in accordance with specific and predetermined criteria) shall remain free of constructions as safety zones for the protection of the status of water ecosystems and in cases of flood, for the protection of citizens and their properties. Safety zones (protection stripes) are determined in such manner as to also include any areas which interrupt the natural continuation of the registered water streams.
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Where any developments affect areas of specific importance e.g. areas of an important ecological/ environmental value etc, the protection of the local environment shall prevail and the general policy of the WDD on water streams may be varied accordingly.
The WDD prepared a Leaflet on its policy for developments adjacent to water streams or crossed by water streams.
For more information, you may contact the Hydrology and Hydrogeology Division |