(1)The Scottish Ministers must—
(a)take such reasonable steps as they consider appropriate for the purpose of ensuring the development of the value of Scotland’s water resources,
(b)do so in ways designed to promote the sustainable use of the resources.
(2)In fulfilling the duty under subsection (1), the Scottish Ministers are to act so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of their—
(a)functions under the 2003 Act and the 2009 Act,
(b)other functions (whether or not relating to water resources or environmental matters).
(3)In subsection (1), the reference to the value of water resources—
(a)means the value of the resources on any basis (including their monetary or non-monetary worth),
(b)extends to the economic, social, environmental or other benefit deriving from the use of the resources (or any activities in relation to them).
(4)In this section—
“the 2009 Act” means the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009,
“water resources” means wetland, inland water and transitional water as defined by section 3 of the 2003 Act.