Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005

4 Public water supply system: offences S

(1) Any person who introduces water into the public water supply system is guilty of an offence.

(2) Any person who uses the public water supply system for the purposes of supplying water to the premises of another person is guilty of an offence.

(3) Any person who makes arrangements for or in relation to the supply of water to the premises of another person through the public water supply system is guilty of an offence.

(4) Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply to—

(a) Scottish Water; or

(b) another person if (and to the extent that) the person is acting on behalf of Scottish Water or under its authority.

(5) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to a person if (and to the extent that) the person is supplying water with the help of services provided by Scottish Water as described in section 30 of the 2002 Act.

(6) Subsection (3) does not apply to a water services provider where the provider is acting as authorised by the water services licence held by the provider.

(7) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a) specify other circumstances in which subsection (1), (2) or (3) does not apply; or

(b) specify that subsection (1), (2) or (3) does not apply—

(i) to such other person or to such category of person; and

(ii) to such extent and subject to such conditions,

as may be specified in the regulations.

(8) The Scottish Ministers are to consult—

(a) Scottish Water;

(b) the Commission; and

(c) such other persons as they consider appropriate,

on any regulations they propose to make under subsection (7).

(9) It is competent to make regulations under subsection (7) only if the effect of the regulations would not be prejudicial to the exercise of Scottish Water's core functions as respects the supply of water.

(10) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £20,000; or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to a fine or to both.

(11) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) or (3) is liable—

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

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

(12) Any contract or other agreement which involves a contravention of subsection (1), (2) or (3) is unenforceable.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 4(1)-(5)(7)-(12) in force at 20.6.2005 by S.S.I. 2005/351, art. 2, Sch. 1

I2 S. 4(6) in force at 7.9.2006 by S.S.I. 2006/445, art. 2, Sch.