The property in and the right to the use, of all ground water in all surface water sources and in underground sources including, but not limited to, the Northern Aquifer, wherever ground water is found in Guam, are for all purposes vested in the government of Guam and are conclusively deemed to have always been vested in the government and is a public asset. No entity shall withdraw water from any water source on Guam without the expressed authorization of the Guam Waterworks Authority as provided for in its rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 7 of this Act. Nothing herein shall prohibit the development of above ground water catchments systems and the rights to the water collected by such systems shall belong to the owners of such systems.

SOURCE: Added by P.L. 29-051:3 (Sept. 17, 2002).