§ 45-788. Enforcement or protection of interest in water resources - Replacement of water supply.

A.  Nothing in this act shall be construed as affecting in any way the right of any person to enforce or protect, under applicable law, his interest in water resources affected by a surface coal mining operation.

B.  The operator of a surface coal mine shall replace the water supply of an owner of interest in real property who obtains all or part of his supply of water for domestic, agricultural, industrial or other legitimate use from an underground or surface source where such supply has been affected by contamination, diminution or interruption proximately resulting from such surface coal mine operation.

Laws 1979, c. 249, § 55, emerg. eff. June 1, 1979.