The Regional Prefect decides on the application for a declaration of public interest for a natural mineral water spring and the assignment of a protection perimeter.
Where the protective perimeter is located in the territory of different regions, the regional prefect who decides on the application is that of the region in whose jurisdiction the spring is exploited.
If the application remains unanswered for more than six months, it will be deemed to have been rejected. This period may be suspended for the time allowed for production of the missing documents requested by the Prefect.