---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-5-98. Investigations; entry; protection of confidential information or trade secrets; refusing entry or access to and interference with authorized representatives of division.
collection: code
id: 12-5-98
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-5-98 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-98
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-98.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-98/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=453
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-97.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-5-99.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / WATER RESOURCES / WELLS AND DRINKING WATER / GROUND-WATER USE GENERALLY
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-5-98. Investigations; entry; protection of confidential information or trade secrets; refusing entry or access to and interference with authorized representatives of division.

(a) The division shall have the right to conduct such investigations as may reasonably be necessary to carry out its duties prescribed in this part and for this purpose to enter at reasonable times any property, public or private, for the purpose of investigating the condition, withdrawal, or use of any waters, investigating water sources, or investigating the installation or operation of any well, and to require written statements or the filing of reports under oath, with respect to pertinent questions relating to the installation or operation of any well, provided that no person shall be required to disclose any secret formula, processes, or methods used in any manufacturing operation or any confidential information concerning business activities carried on by him or under his supervision.

(b) No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the division who requests entry for the purposes of a lawful inspection and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any person obstruct, hamper, or interfere with any such representative while in the process of carrying out his official duties consistent with the provisions of this part.

## History

Ga. L. 1972, p. 976, § 10.