The commissioner shall have the power to adopt, enforce, amend or repeal, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.) rules and regulations to control, conserve, and manage the water supply of the State and the diversions of that water supply to assure the citizens of the State an adequate supply of water under a variety of conditions and to carry out the intent of this act. These rules and regulations may apply throughout the State or in any region thereof and shall provide for the allocation or the reallocation of the waters of the State in such a manner as to provide an adequate quantity and quality of water for the needs of the citizens of the State in the present and in the future and may include, but shall not be limited to:

a. A permit system to allocate or reallocate any or all of the waters of the State, which system shall provide for the issuance of permits to diverters of more than 100,000 gallons per day of the waters of the State, containing at a minimum the conditions required by this act;

b. Standards and procedures to be followed by diverters to ensure that:

(1) Proper methods are used to divert water;

(2) Only the permitted quantity of water is diverted and that the water is only used for its permitted purpose;

(3) The water quality of the water source is maintained and the water standards for the use of the water are met;

(4) The department is provided with adequate and accurate reports regarding the diversion and use of water;

c. Inspection, monitoring, reporting and enforcement procedures necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this act;

d. Standards and procedures to be followed to determine the location, extent and quality of the water resources of the State and plan for their future use to meet the needs of the citizens of the State;

e. Standards and procedures to be followed to maintain the minimum water levels and flow necessary to provide adequate water quantity and quality;

f. Standards and procedures governing the maintenance of adequate capacity by, and withdrawal limits for, water purveyors.

L.1981, c. 262, s. 5, eff. Aug. 13, 1981.