Water Act 1989 (c. 15)

(The document as of February, 2008)

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(b) where provision is proposed to be made by the order for the purpose of enabling discharges of water to be made, each locality in which the place of any of the proposed discharges is situated or in which there appears to the applicant to be any inland water or underground strata the flow, level or quality of water in which may be affected by any of the proposed discharges.

Supply of copies of draft orders

2 The applicant for an order under section 155 of this Act shall, at the request of any person and on payment by that person of such charge (if any) as the applicant may reasonably require, furnish that person with a copy of the draft order submitted to the appropriate Minister under paragraph 1 above and of any relevant map or plan.

Powers on an application

3 (1) On an application for an order under section 155 of this Act, the appropriate Minister may make the order either in the terms of the draft order submitted to him or, subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) below, in those terms as modified in such manner as he thinks fit, or may refuse to make an order.

(2) The appropriate Minister shall not make such a modification of a draft order submitted to him as he considers is likely adversely to affect any persons unless he is satisfied that the applicant for the order has given and published such additional notices, in such manner, as the appropriate Minister may have required.

(3) The appropriate Minister shall not, unless all interested parties consent, make an order under section 155 of this Act so as to confer in relation to any land any powers of compulsory acquisition which would not have been conferred in relation to that land if the order were made in the terms of the draft order submitted to him under paragraph 1 above.

(4) Where, on an application for an order under section 155 of this Act, the appropriate Minister refuses to make an order, the applicant shall, as soon as practicable after the refusal, notify the refusal to every person on whom the applicant was, by virtue of paragraph 1(1)(c)(i) above, required to serve a copy of the notice with respect to the application.

(5) The duty of a water undertaker under sub-paragraph (4) above shall be enforceable under section 20 of this Act by the Secretary of State.

Consideration of objections etc.

4 (1) If where an application for an order under section 155 of this Act has been made notice of an objection to it is received by the appropriate Minister before the end of the relevant period from--

(a) any person on whom a notice under paragraph 1 or 3 above is required to be served; or

(b) from any other person appearing to the appropriate Minister to be affected by the order as submitted to him or as proposed to be modified under paragraph 3 above,

then, unless the objection is withdrawn, the appropriate Minister shall, before making the order, either cause a local inquiry to be held or afford to the objector and to the applicant for the order an opportunity of appearing before, and being heard by, a person appointed by the appropriate Minister for the purpose.

(2) Where any objection received by the appropriate Minister as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above relates to any powers of compulsory acquisition, the appropriate Minister may require the objector to state in writing the grounds of his objection; and if the appropriate Minister is satisfied that the objection relates exclusively to matters that can be dealt with in the assessment of compensation, he may disregard the objection for the purposes of that sub-paragraph.

(3) In this paragraph "the relevant period", in relation to an application for any order, means the period ending with whichever is the later of--

(a) the end of the period of twenty-eight days beginning with the date of the first publication of the notice published with respect to the application for the purposes of paragraph 1(1)(b) above; and

(b) the end of the period of twenty-five days beginning with the date of the publication in the London Gazette of the notice published for the purposes of the application by virtue of paragraph 1(1)(d) above,

together, in the case of an application for an order modifications to which have been proposed by the appropriate Minister, with any further periods specified with respect to the modifications in notices under paragraph 3(2) above.

Notice after making of order

5 (1) As soon as practicable after an order under section 155 of this Act has been made, the applicant for the order shall--

(a) publish a notice of the making of the order, at least once in each of two successive weeks, in one or more newspapers circulating in each relevant locality; and

(b) not later than the date on which that notice is first published--

(i) serve a copy of the notice on every person on whom the applicant was, by virtue of paragraph 1(1)(c)(i) above, required to serve a copy of the notice with respect to the application for the order;

(ii) in the case of an order authorising the stopping-up or diversion of a footpath or bridleway, cause such a copy, together with a plan showing the general effect of the order so far as it relates to the footpath or bridleway, to be displayed in a prominent position at the ends of the appropriate part of the path or way.

(2) The notice required by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(a) above to be published with respect to an order under section 155 of this Act shall--

(a) state the general effect of the order;

(b) in the case of an order made wholly or partly for the purpose of enabling any discharges of water to be made--

(i) contain particulars of the discharges, stating the purposes of the discharges and specifying each place of discharge;

(ii) specify the places at which the water to be comprised in the discharges is to be taken and the treatment (if any) which the order requires the water, or any of it, to receive before being discharged under the order;

(iii) state the effect which, in the opinion of the applicant, the discharges would have on the flow, level and quality of water in any inland water or underground strata; and

(c) specify a place where a copy of the order and of any relevant map or plan may be inspected by any person free of charge at all reasonable times.

(3) Where an order under section 155 of this Act has been made, the applicant for the order shall, at the request of any person and on payment by that person of such charge (if any) as the applicant may reasonably require, furnish that person with a copy of the order and of any relevant map or plan.

(4) The duties of a water undertaker under this paragraph shall be enforceable under section 20 of this Act by the Secretary of State.

(5) In this paragraph "relevant locality", in relation to an order made under section 155 of this Act, means--

(a) any locality which is affected by any provision made by the order for the purpose of enabling any engineering or building operations to be carried out; and

(b) where provision is made by the order for the purpose of enabling discharges of water to be made, each locality in which the place of any of the discharges is situated or in which there appears to the applicant to be any inland water or underground strata the flow, level or quality of water in which may be affected by any of the discharges.

Compulsory acquisition provisions

6 (1) Without prejudice to the provisions of Schedule 21 to this Act--

(a) Part I of the [1965 c. 56.] Compulsory Purchase Act 1965;

(b) section 4 and Part III of, and Schedule 3 to, the [1981 c. 67.] Acquisition of Land Act 1981; and

shall apply in relation to so much of an order under section 155 of this Act as confers powers of compulsory acquisition as they apply in relation to a compulsory purchase order made by virtue of section 151 of this Act and, accordingly, shall so apply, where the case so requires, with the modifications made by Schedule 18 to this Act.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (6) below, if any person aggrieved by an order under section 155 of this Act containing powers of compulsory acquisition, or by a certificate given under the special land provisions in connection with such an order, desires--

(a) to question the validity of the order, or of any provision of the order, on the grounds that any powers of compulsory acquisition conferred by the order are not authorised by this Act to be so conferred, or that any of the relevant requirements have not been complied with in relation to the order; or

(b) to question the validity of the certificate on the grounds that any of the relevant requirements have not been complied with in relation to the certificate,

he may make an application for the purpose to the High Court at any time before the end of the period of six weeks beginning with the date on which notice of the making of the order is first published in accordance with paragraph 5 above or, as the case may be, notice of the giving of the certificate is first published in accordance with the special land provisions.

(3) On any application under sub-paragraph (2) above with respect to any order or certificate, the High Court--

(a) may by interim order suspend the operation of the order, or any provision of the order, or of the certificate (either generally or in so far as it affects any property of the applicant to the High Court) until the final determination of the proceedings; and

(b) if satisfied--

(i) that any powers of compulsory acquisition conferred by the order are not authorised by this Act to be so conferred; or

(ii) that the interests of that applicant have been substantially prejudiced by a failure to comply with any of the relevant requirements in relation to the order or the certificate,

may quash the order, or any provision of the order, or the certificate (either generally or in so far as it affects any property of that applicant).

(4) Except as provided by sub-paragraph (2) above, the validity of any such order or certificate as is mentioned in that sub-paragraph shall not, either before or after the order or certificate has been made or given, be questioned in any legal proceedings whatsoever.

(5) Subject to any order of the High Court under sub-paragraph (3) above, any such order or certificate as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) above shall become operative (except, in the case of an order, where it is subject by virtue of the special land provisions to special parliamentary procedure) on the date on which notice of the making or giving of the order or certificate is published as mentioned in the said sub-paragraph (2).

(6) Where an order such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) above is subject to special parliamentary procedure, sub-paragraphs (2) to (4) of this paragraph--

(a) shall not apply to the order if it is confirmed by Act of Parliament under section 6 of the [1945 c. 18 (9 & 10 Geo. 6).] Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945; and

(b) in any other case, shall have effect as if the reference in sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph to the date on which notice of the making of the order is first published in accordance with paragraph 5 above were a reference to the date on which the order becomes operative under the said Act of 1945.

(7) In this paragraph--

"the special land provisions" means the provisions, as applied by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above, of Part III of the [1981 c. 67.] Acquisition of Land Act 1981 or, as the case may require, of Part II of Schedule 3 to that Act; and
"the relevant requirements", in relation to an order or certificate, means the requirements of this Schedule and such requirements of the special land provisions or of any other enactment as are applicable to that order or certificate by virtue of this paragraph.

Compensation in certain cases of compulsory acquisition

7 Where--

(a) in connection with any engineering or building operations to which an order under section 155 of this Act relates, a licence under the [1963 c. 38.] Water Resources Act 1963 is granted, or is deemed to be granted, to the Authority or, as the case may be, to the water undertaker in question; and

(b) that licence is a licence to abstract water or to obstruct or impede the flow of an inland water,

no compensation shall be payable by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 6 above in respect of any land or interest injuriously affected by the carrying out of those operations, in so far as that land or interest is injuriously affected by the abstraction of water, or the obstruction or impeding of the flow, in accordance with the provisions of the licence.

Compensation in respect of powers other than acquisition powers

8 (1) If the value of any interest in any relevant land is depreciated by the coming into force of so much of any order under section 155 of this Act as--

(a) confers compulsory powers, other than powers of compulsory acquisition, for the purpose of enabling any engineering or building operations to be carried out; and

(b) grants authority for the carrying out of the operations,

the person entitled to that interest shall be entitled to compensation from the applicant for the order of an amount equal to the amount of the depreciation.

(2) Where the person entitled to an interest in any relevant land sustains loss or damage which--

(a) is attributable to so much of any order under section 155 of this Act as--

(i) confers compulsory powers, other than powers of compulsory acquisition, for the purpose of enabling any engineering or building operations to be carried out; and

(ii) grants authority for the carrying out of the operations;

(b) does not consist in depreciation of the value of that interest; and

(c) is loss or damage for which he would have been entitled to compensation by way of compensation for disturbance, if his interest in that land had been compulsorily acquired under section 151 of this Act in pursuance of a notice to treat served on the date on which the order comes into force,

he shall be entitled to compensation from the applicant for the order in respect of that loss or damage, in addition to compensation under sub-paragraph (1) above.

(3) Where any damage to, or injurious affection of, any land which is not relevant land is attributable to so much of any order under section 155 of this Act as--

(a) confers compulsory powers, other than powers of compulsory acquisition, for the purpose of enabling any engineering or building operations to be carried out; and

(b) grants authority for the carrying out of the operations,

the applicant for the order shall pay compensation in respect of that damage or injurious affection to every person entitled to an interest in that land.

(4) A person who sustains any loss or damage which is attributable to any discharge of water made by the Authority or a water undertaker in pursuance of an order under section 155 of this Act shall be entitled to recover compensation from the Authority or undertaker in respect of the loss or damage.

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4) above any extra expenditure--

(a) which it becomes reasonably necessary for any water undertaker or public authority (other than the one making the discharge) to incur for the purpose of properly carrying out any statutory functions; and

(b) which is attributable to any such discharge of water as is mentioned in that sub-paragraph,

shall be deemed to be a loss sustained by the undertaker or public authority and to be so attributable.

(6) Any question of disputed compensation under this paragraph, shall be referred to and determined by the Lands Tribunal; and in relation to the determination of any such compensation the provisions of sections 2 and 4 of the [1961 c. 33.] Land Compensation Act 1961 shall apply, subject to any necessary modifications.

(7) For the purpose of assessing any compensation under this paragraph, so far as that compensation is in respect of loss or damage consisting in depreciation of the value of an interest in land, the rules set out in section 5 of the Land Compensation Act 1961 shall, so far as applicable and subject to any necessary modifications, have effect as they have effect for the purpose of assessing compensation for the compulsory acquisition of an interest in land.

(8) Where the interest in land in respect of which any compensation falls to be assessed in accordance with sub-paragraph (7) above is subject to a mortgage--

(a) the compensation shall be assessed as if the interest were not subject to the mortgage;

(b) a claim for compensation may be made by any mortgagee of the interest, but without prejudice to the making of a claim by the person entitled to the interest;

(c) no such compensation shall be payable in respect of the interest of the mortgagee (as distinct from the interest which is subject to the mortgage); and

(d) any such compensation which is payable in respect of the interest which is subject to the mortgage shall be paid to the mortgagee, or, if there is more than one mortgagee, to the first mortgagee, and shall in either case be applied by him as if it were proceeds of sale.

(9) In this paragraph "relevant land", in relation to an order under section 155 of this Act, means any land which is not land in relation to which powers of compulsory acquisition are conferred by the order but is--

(a) land where any operations for which authority is granted by the order are to be carried out; or

(b) land in relation to which compulsory powers are conferred by the order; or

Protection of public undertakings

9 Section 160 of this Act shall apply, as it applies in relation to the carrying out of works in exercise of a power conferred by this Act, in relation to the carrying out of works by virtue of an authority granted by so much of any order under section 155 of this Act as makes provision other than provision conferring powers of compulsory acquisition.

Interpretation

10 In this Schedule--

"bridleway" and "footpath" have the same meanings as in the [1980 c. 66.] Highways Act 1980;
"powers of compulsory acquisition" means any such powers as are mentioned in subsection (4)(a) of section 155 of this Act;

and references to a tenant for a month or for any period of less than a month include references to a statutory tenant, within the meaning of the [1985 c. 70.] Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, and to a licensee under an assured agricultural occupancy, within the meaning of Part I of the [1988 c. 50.] Housing Act 1988.

Section 159.

SCHEDULE 21 Mineral Rights

Acquisition of mineral rights

1 (1) This paragraph applies in each of the following cases, that is to say--

(a) where a relevant body acquires any land (whether compulsorily in exercise of any power conferred by or under this Act or otherwise); and

(b) where a relevant body carries out any works in relation to any land for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any of its functions.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, a relevant body shall not, by virtue only of its acquisition of the land or the carrying out of the works, become entitled to any mines or minerals lying under the land; and, accordingly, any such mines or minerals shall be deemed to be excepted from any instrument by virtue of which the land vests in the relevant body unless express provision to the contrary is contained--

(a) where the land vests in the relevant body by virtue of a conveyance, in the conveyance; or

(b) where the land is acquired by the relevant body in pursuance of any power of compulsory acquisition conferred by or under this Act, in the order authorising the acquisition.

(3) A relevant body shall be entitled to such parts of any mines or minerals that lie under the land as it may be necessary for it to dig, carry away or use in carrying out any works for the purposes of constructing, making, erecting or laying any part of its undertaking.

Notice required for the working of underlying mines

2 (1) If the owner of any mines or minerals underlying any part of a relevant body's undertaking proposes to work them, he shall, not less than thirty days before the commencement of working, serve notice of his intention to do so on the relevant body.

(2) On receipt of a notice under sub-paragraph (1) above the relevant body may cause the mines or minerals to be inspected by a person designated by it for the purpose.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (5) and paragraph 3 below, if, where notice has been served under this paragraph, the relevant body--

(a) considers that the working of the underlying mines or minerals is likely to damage any part of that body's undertaking;

(b) is willing to compensate the owner of the mines or minerals for the restriction imposed by virtue of this sub-paragraph; and

(c) serves notice to that effect on the owner of the mines or minerals before the end of the period of thirty days mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above,

the owner shall not work the mines or minerals except to such extent as may be determined by the relevant body, and the relevant body shall so compensate the owner.

(4) Any dispute as to the amount of any compensation payable by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) above shall be referred to and determined by the Lands Tribunal.

(5) If before the end of the period of thirty days mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above, no notice has been served under sub-paragraph (3)(c) above by the relevant body, the entitlement of the owner of the mines and minerals to work them shall be an entitlement to work them by proper methods and in the usual manner of working such mines or minerals in the district in question.

(6) If any damage to the undertaking of a relevant body is caused by the working otherwise than as authorised by this paragraph of any mines or minerals underlying any part of that body's undertaking--

(a) the owner of the mines or minerals shall, at his own expense, forthwith repair the damage; and

(b) the relevant body may, without waiting for the owner to perform his duty, repair the damage and may recover the expenses reasonably incurred by it in doing so from the owner.

Mining communications

3 (1) If the working of any mines or minerals is prevented by reason of any of the preceding provisions of this Schedule, the owner of the mines or minerals may cut and make such communication works through the mines or minerals, or the strata in which they are situated, as are required for the ventilation, drainage and working of mines or minerals which are not underlying any part of the undertaking of the relevant body in question.

(2) Communication works cut or made under this paragraph--

(a) shall not, in a case where--

(i) the part of the undertaking in question was constructed, made, erected or laid in pursuance of an order made under any enactment or is situated on land acquired by the relevant body in pursuance of any powers of compulsory acquisition; and

(ii) the order authorising the works or acquisition designates dimensions or sections for the communication works,

exceed those dimensions or fail to conform to those sections; and

(b) in any other case, shall not be more than 2.44 metres high or more than 2.44 metres wide.

(3) Communication works cut or made under this paragraph shall not be cut or made on the land where the part of the undertaking is situated so as to cause damage to that part of the undertaking.

(4) Where works carried out under this paragraph by the owner of any mines or minerals cause loss or damage to the owner or occupier of land lying over the mines or minerals, the relevant body shall pay full compensation to him for the loss or damage.

(5) Sub-paragraph (4) above shall not apply where the person sustaining the loss or damage is the owner of the mines.

(6) In this paragraph "communication works" means airways, headways, gateways or water levels.

Compensation relating to severance

4 (1) Where mines or minerals underlying any part of a relevant body's undertaking are situated so as, on two or more sides of that land, to extend beyond the land on which that part of the undertaking is situated, the relevant body shall from time to time pay to the owner of the mines or minerals (in addition to any compensation under paragraph 2 above) any expenses and losses incurred by him in consequence of--

(a) the severance by the undertaking of the land lying over the mines;

(b) the interruption of continuous working of the mines in consequence of paragraph 2(3) above;

(c) the mines being so worked in accordance with restrictions imposed by virtue of this Act or any order made under this Act,

and shall pay for any minerals not purchased by the relevant body which cannot be got or won by reason of the part of the undertaking in question being situated where it is or by reason of the requirement to avoid damage to any part of the relevant body's undertaking.

(2) Any dispute as to whether any sum should be paid under this paragraph or as to the amount payable shall be referred to the arbitration of a single arbitrator appointed by agreement between the relevant body and the owner of the mines or minerals or, in default of agreement, by the Secretary of State.

Powers of entry

5 (1) Any person designated in writing for the purpose by a relevant body may, for any purpose specified in sub-paragraph (2) below--

(a) enter on any land in which the mines or minerals are, or are thought to be, being worked, and which is in or near to the land where any part of that body's undertaking is situated; and

(b) enter the mines and any works connected with the mines.

(2) The purposes mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above are--

(a) carrying out any inspection under paragraph 2(2) above;

(b) ascertaining whether any mines or minerals have been worked so as to damage the undertaking of the relevant body in question; and

(c) carrying out any works and taking any other steps which the relevant body in question is authorised to carry out under paragraph 2(6) above.

(3) A person authorised to enter any premises under this paragraph may--

(a) make use of any equipment belonging to the owner of the mines or minerals in question; and

(b) use all necessary means for discovering the distance from any part of the undertaking of the relevant body to the parts of the mines or the minerals which are, or are about to be, worked.

(4) Without prejudice to any power exercisable by virtue of a warrant under section 178 of this Act, no person shall make an entry into any premises by virtue of this section except--

(a) in an emergency; or

(b) at a reasonable time and after seven days' notice of the intended entry has been given to the occupier of the premises.

No exemption for injury to mines and minerals

6 Nothing in any provision of this Act or of any order made under this Act shall be construed as exempting a relevant body from any liability to which it would, apart from that provision, have been subject in respect of any damage to any mines or minerals underlying any part of its undertaking or in respect of any loss sustained in relation to any such mines or minerals by a person having an interest therein.

Interpretation

7 (1) In this Schedule--

"conveyance" has the same meaning as in the [1925 c. 20.] Law of Property Act 1925;
"designated distance", in relation to any part of a relevant body's undertaking, means, where--
(a)
that part of the undertaking was constructed, made, erected or laid in pursuance of an order made under any enactment or is situated on land acquired by the relevant body in pursuance of any powers of compulsory acquisition; and
(b)
the order authorising the works or acquisition designates the distance for the purposes of any enactment relating to mines or minerals underlying that part of the undertaking,

that distance, and, in any other case, thirty-seven metres;
"mines" means mines of coal, ironstone, slate or other minerals;
"owner", in relation to mines and minerals, includes a lessee or occupier;
"relevant body" means the Authority or any water undertaker or sewerage undertaker; and
"underlying", in relation to any part of the undertaking of a relevant body, means lying under, or within the designated distance from, that part of that undertaking.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule the undertaking of a relevant body shall be taken to consist of so much of any of the following as is for the time being vested in or held by that body for the purposes of, or in connection with, the carrying out of any of its functions, that is to say--

(a) any buildings, reservoirs, wells, boreholes or other structures; and

(b) any pipes or other underground works particulars of which fall or would fall to be incorporated in any records kept under section 165 or 166 of this Act.

(3) References in this Schedule to the working of any mines or minerals include references to the draining of mines and to the winning or getting of minerals.

(4) For the purposes of this Schedule land shall be treated as acquired by a relevant body in pursuance of powers of compulsory acquisition if it--

(a) was so acquired by a water authority or any predecessor of a water authority or by a predecessor of a statutory water company; and

(b) is now vested in that body in accordance with a scheme under Schedule 2 or 5 to this Act or otherwise.

(5) In relation--

(a) to any land treated by virtue of sub-paragraph (4) above as acquired in pursuance of powers of compulsory acquisition; or

(b) to any land acquired by a statutory water company before the transfer date in pursuance of any such powers,

references in this Schedule to the order authorising the acquisition include references to any local statutory provision which immediately before the transfer date has effect in relation to that land for the purposes of any provisions corresponding to the provisions of this Schedule.

Section 168.

SCHEDULE 22 Water Quality in Scotland

1 In the [1980 c. 45.] Water (Scotland) Act 1980, after section 76, there shall be inserted the following Part--

" Part VI A Quality of Water

76A Duties of water authorities with respect to water quality

(1) It shall be the duty of a water authority--

(a) when supplying water to any premises for domestic purposes to supply only water which is wholesome at the time of supply; and

(b) so far as reasonably practicable, to ensure, in relation to each source or combination of sources from which that authority supplies water to premises for domestic purposes, that there is, in general, no deterioration in the quality of the water which is supplied from time to time from that source or combination of sources.

(2) For the purposes of this section and section 76B below and subject to subsection (3) below, water supplied by a water authority to any premises shall not be regarded as unwholesome at the time of supply where it has ceased to be wholesome only after leaving the authority's pipes.

(3) For the purposes of this section where water supplied by a water authority to any premises would not otherwise be regarded as unwholesome at the time of supply, that water shall be regarded as unwholesome at that time if--

(a) it has ceased to be wholesome after leaving the authority's pipes but while in a pipe which is subject to water pressure from a main or which would be so subject but for the closing of some valve; and

(b) it has so ceased in consequence of the failure of the authority, before supplying the water, to take such steps as may be prescribed for the purpose of securing the elimination or reduction to a minimum of any prescribed risk that the water would cease to be wholesome after leaving the authority's pipes.

(4) The provisions of this section shall apply in relation to water which is supplied by a water authority whether or not the water is water which the authority is required to supply by virtue of any provision of this Act.

76B Regulations for preserving water quality

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations require a water authority to take all such steps as may be prescribed for the purpose of securing compliance with section 76A above; and, without prejudice to the generality of that power, regulations under this subsection may impose an obligation on a water authority--

(a) to take all such steps as may be prescribed for monitoring and recording whether the water which that authority supplies to premises for domestic purposes is wholesome at the time of supply;

(b) to take all such steps as may be prescribed for monitoring and recording the quality of the water from any source, or combination of sources, which that authority uses or is proposing to use for supplying water to any premises for domestic purposes;

(c) to ensure that a source which that authority is using or proposing to use for supplying water for domestic purposes is not so used until prescribed requirements for establishing the quality of water which may be supplied from that source have been complied with;

(d) to keep records of the localities within which all the premises supplied with water for domestic purposes by that authority are normally supplied from the same source or combination of sources;

(e) to comply with prescribed requirements with respect to the analysis of water samples or with respect to internal reporting or organisational arrangements.

(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1) above, the Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to the use by water authorities, for the purposes of or in connection with the carrying out of their functions, of such processes and substances, and of products that contain or are made with such substances or materials, as he considers might affect the quality of any water; and, without prejudice to the generality of that power, regulations under this subsection may--

(a) forbid the use by water authorities of processes, substances and products which have not been approved under the regulations or which contravene the regulations;

(b) for the purposes of provision made by virtue of paragraph (a) above, require processes, substances and products used by water authorities to conform to such standards as may be prescribed by or approved under the regulations;

(c) impose such other requirements as may be prescribed with respect to the use by water authorities of prescribed processes, substances and products;

(d) provide for the giving, refusal and revocation, by prescribed persons, of approvals required for the purposes of the regulations, for such approvals to be capable of being made subject to such conditions as may be prescribed and for the modification and revocation of any such condition;

(e) impose obligations to furnish prescribed persons with information reasonably required by those persons for the purpose of carrying out functions under the regulations;

(f) provide for a contravention of the regulations to constitute--

(i) an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or such smaller sum as may be prescribed; or

(ii) an offence triable either summarily or on indictment and punishable, on summary conviction, by a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum and, on conviction on indictment, by a fine; and

(g) require prescribed charges to be paid to persons carrying out functions under the regulations.

(3) The Secretary of State may by regulations require a water authority--

(a) to publish information about the quality of water supplied for domestic purposes to any premises by that authority; and

(b) to provide information to prescribed persons about the quality of water so supplied.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) above--

(a) shall prescribe both the information which is to be published or provided in pursuance of the regulations and the manner and circumstances in which it is to be published or provided;

(b) may require the provision of information by a water authority to any person to be free of charge or may authorise it to be subject to the payment by that person to the authority of a prescribed charge; and

(c) may impose such other conditions on the provision of information by a water authority to any person as may be prescribed.

76C Offence of supplying water unfit for human consumption

(1) Subject to subsection (4) below, where a water authority supplies water by means of pipes to any premises and that water is unfit for human consumption the authority shall be guilty of an offence and liable--

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine.

(2) Where an offence under this section is proved to be attributable to any neglect on the part of an employee of the water authority, he as well as the water authority shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above, the penalty on conviction on indictment shall include imprisonment (in addition to or instead of a fine) for a term not exceeding two years.

(4) In any proceedings for an offence under this section it shall be a defence to show that--

(a) there were no reasonable grounds for suspecting that the water would be used for human consumption; or

(b) all reasonable steps had been taken and all due diligence exercised for securing that the water was fit for human consumption on leaving the pipes or was not used for human consumption.

76D Provision of water where piped supplies insufficient or unwholesome

(1) Where--

(a) it is not practicable at reasonable cost for a water authority, by supplying water in pipes, to provide or maintain such a supply of wholesome water to any particular premises in its limits of supply as (so far as those premises are concerned) is sufficient for domestic purposes;

(b) it is practicable at reasonable cost for the authority to provide such a supply to those premises otherwise than in pipes;

(c) the insufficiency or unwholesomeness of the supply of water for domestic purposes to those premises is such as to cause a danger to life or health; and

(d) the local authority in whose area those premises are situated notify the water authority of that danger and require the water authority to provide a supply otherwise than in pipes,

it shall be the duty of the water authority, for such period as may be required by that local authority, to provide any supply to those premises which it is practicable at reasonable cost to provide otherwise than in pipes and which it is required to provide by that local authority.

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