(1)Subject to section 45, all rights in the water of any natural spring, river, stream, watercourse, pond, or lake on or under land, whether alienated or unalienated, shall be reserved to the Government; and no such water shall be obstructed, dammed, diverted, polluted or otherwise interfered with, directly or indirectly, except in pursuance of permission in writing granted by the Minister responsible for water or natural resources in accordance with the Water Act.

(2)Nothing in this section shall prevent the reasonable use by an occupier of land of any waters referred to in subsection (1) for domestic, small scale agricultural or pastoral purposes.