Search Legislation

Water Act 2014

 Help about what version

What Version

 Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

Changes over time for: Section 11

 Help about opening options

Changes to legislation:

Water Act 2014, Section 11 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 19 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Section 11:

  • s. 11(1)(3) coming into force by S.I. 2017/1288 art. 3(d) (This effect not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Art. 3(c)(d) omitted (26.3.2019) by S.I. 2019/706, art. 2)
  • s. 11(2)(4)(5) coming into force by S.I. 2017/1288 art. 3(d) (This effect not applied to legislation.gov.uk. Art. 3(c)(d) omitted (26.3.2019) by S.I. 2019/706, art. 2)
  • specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing S.I. 2017/1288, art. 3(c)(d) by S.I. 2019/706 art. 2
  • specified provision(s) amendment to earlier commencing S.I. 2017/462, arts. 4, 5 by S.I. 2017/926 art. 2
11Agreements by sewerage undertakers to adopt infrastructureE+W
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.

(2)In section 104 (agreements to adopt a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works at a future date)—

(a)in subsection (2) (application to make an agreement under section 104), for the words from “make an application” to the end there is substituted “ request a sewerage undertaker to make an agreement under this section. ”;

(b)subsections (3), (4) and (6A) are repealed;

(c)after subsection (5) there is inserted—

(5A)The reference in subsection (5) to an agreement made under this section includes a reference to—

(a)an order under section 105ZA which is deemed to be an agreement by virtue of section 105ZA(5), and

(b)any agreement which has been varied by order under section 105ZB(1).

(3)After section 105 there is inserted—

105ZAAdoption at a future date: orders by Authority

(1)This section applies where a person mentioned in section 104(1)(a) or (b) makes a request to a sewerage undertaker under section 104(2).

(2)The person or the sewerage undertaker may apply to the Authority for an order under subsection (4) if the person and the sewerage undertaker have not made such agreement as was requested by the person.

(3)The Authority may, on the application of the person or the sewerage undertaker, make an order under subsection (4) if the Authority is satisfied that—

(a)where the person is such person as is mentioned in section 104(1)(a), it is appropriate for work proposed to be done by a person other than the sewerage undertaker to be so done, and

(b)the person and the sewerage undertaker cannot reach agreement within a reasonable time.

(4)The Authority may by order—

(a)require the sewerage undertaker to give such undertakings as to the vesting of the sewer, such part of the drain as constitutes the lateral drain or the works in the undertaker as the Authority may specify, and

(b)impose such terms and conditions as regards taking the benefit of the undertakings as the Authority may specify.

(5)An order under subsection (4) has effect as an agreement under section 104 between the person and the sewerage undertaker.

(6)The Authority may not make an order under subsection (4) with respect to—

(a)a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works situated in the area of another undertaker, or

(b)a drain which is intended to communicate with a sewer which—

(i)is so situated, or

(ii)is vested in another sewerage undertaker,

until one of the conditions mentioned in subsection (7) is satisfied.

(7)The conditions are that—

(a)the other sewerage undertaker has consented in writing to the making of the order, or

(b)the Minister, on an application made to the Minister, has disapplied paragraph (a), either unconditionally or subject to such conditions as the Minister thinks fit.

(8)The Minister” means—

(a)the Secretary of State, as regards the consent of a sewerage undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in England;

(b)the Welsh Ministers, as regards the consent of a sewerage undertaker whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales.

(9)Neither the CMA nor the Authority may exercise, in respect of an agreement for the vesting of a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works in a sewerage undertaker at a future date or on a future event, the powers conferred by—

(a)section 32 of the Competition Act 1998 (directions in relation to agreements);

(b)section 35(2) of that Act (interim directions).

(10)Subsection (9)(b) does not apply to the exercise of powers in respect of conduct—

(a)which is connected with an agreement for the vesting of a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works in a sewerage undertaker at a future date or on a future event, and

(b)in respect of which section 35(1) of the Competition Act 1998 applies because of an investigation under section 25 of that Act relating to a suspected infringement of the Chapter 2 prohibition imposed by section 18(1) of that Act.

(11)In exercising its functions under this section, the Authority must have regard to the desirability of—

(a)facilitating effective competition within the sewerage services industry;

(b)the recovery by the sewerage undertaker of the expenses of complying with its obligations by virtue of this section and securing a reasonable return on its capital;

(c)the ability of the sewerage undertaker to meet its existing obligations, and likely future obligations, to provide sewerage services without having to incur unreasonable expenditure in carrying out works;

(d)not putting at risk the ability of the sewerage undertaker to meet its existing obligations, or likely future obligations, to provide sewerage services.

105ZBVariation and termination of section 104 agreements

(1)On the application of a party to a section 104 agreement to vary (or terminate) the agreement, the Authority may—

(a)if it appears to the Authority that it is necessary or expedient that the section 104 agreement should be varied (or terminated),

(b)if the Authority is satisfied, in the case of an application to vary the agreement involving such person as is mentioned in section 104(1)(a), that it is appropriate for work proposed to be done by a person other than the sewerage undertaker to be so done, and

(c)if the Authority is satisfied that variation (or termination) cannot be achieved by agreement within a reasonable time,

by order vary (or terminate) the section 104 agreement.

(2)If an order under subsection (1) is made in relation to a section 104 agreement, the agreement—

(a)has effect subject to the provision made by the order, or

(b)ceases to have effect, as the case may be.

(3)An order under subsection (1) may require any party to the agreement to pay compensation to any other party.

(4)Neither the CMA nor the Authority may exercise, in respect of an agreement to vary or terminate a section 104 agreement, the powers conferred by—

(a)section 32 of the Competition Act 1998 (directions in relation to agreements);

(b)section 35(2) of that Act (interim directions).

(5)Subsection (4)(b) does not apply to the exercise of powers in respect of conduct—

(a)which is connected with an agreement to vary or terminate a section 104 agreement, and

(b)in respect of which section 35(1) of the Competition Act 1998 applies because of an investigation under section 25 of that Act relating to a suspected infringement of the Chapter 2 prohibition imposed by section 18(1) of that Act.

(6)In exercising its functions under this section, the Authority must have regard to the expenses incurred by the sewerage undertaker in complying with its obligations under the section 104 agreement in question and to the desirability of—

(a)facilitating effective competition within the sewerage services industry;

(b)the recovery by the sewerage undertaker of the expenses of complying with its obligations by virtue of this section and securing a reasonable return on its capital;

(c)the ability of the sewerage undertaker to meet its existing obligations, and likely future obligations, to provide sewerage services without having to incur unreasonable expenditure in carrying out works;

(d)not putting at risk the ability of the sewerage undertaker to meet its existing obligations, or likely future obligations, to provide sewerage services.

(7)In this section and sections 105ZC to 105ZI “section 104 agreement” means an agreement with a sewerage undertaker for the vesting of a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works in a sewerage undertaker at a future date or on a future event and includes—

(a)an order under section 105ZA which is deemed to be an agreement by virtue of section 105ZA(5), and

(b)any agreement which has been varied by order under subsection (1).

105ZCCodes in respect of section 104 agreements

(1)The Authority must issue a code in respect of section 104 agreements.

(2)The code may make provision about—

(a)procedures in connection with making an agreement under section 104;

(b)procedures in connection with varying or terminating a section 104 agreement;

(c)procedures to be followed by the Authority in determining whether to make an order under section 105ZA(4) or 105ZB(1);

(d)the circumstances in which it is, or is not, appropriate for work to be done by a person other than a sewerage undertaker;

(e)the terms and conditions of a section 104 agreement;

(f)principles for determining the terms and conditions that should or should not be incorporated into a section 104 agreement;

(g)the steps to be taken by the Authority in determining whether a person is complying with the code.

(3)Provision under subsection (2)(d) may include in particular provision about circumstances relating to—

(a)the nature of the work;

(b)the kind of premises supplied or to be supplied.

(4)Provision under subsection (2)(e) may include in particular provision about terms and conditions as regards—

(a)constructing associated infrastructure;

(b)vesting associated infrastructure in a sewerage undertaker;

(c)making a communication with public sewers.

(5)If the Authority considers that a sewerage undertaker is not acting as required by the code, the Authority may give the undertaker a direction to do, or not to do, a particular thing specified in the direction.

(6)The Authority may not give a direction under subsection (5) requiring a person to enter into, vary or terminate an agreement.

(7)It is the duty of a sewerage undertaker to comply with a direction under subsection (5), and this duty is enforceable by the Authority under section 18.

(8)The code may make different provision for different persons or descriptions of person.

(9)The Authority must from time to time review the code and, if appropriate, issue a revised code.

(10)A revised code may include provision for applying any of its revisions to section 104 agreements made before the revised code comes into force.

105ZDCodes under section 105ZC: procedure

(1)Before issuing a code under section 105ZC, the Authority must—

(a)prepare a draft of the proposed code under section 105ZC, and

(b)consult such persons about the proposed code as it considers appropriate.

(2)The Authority must specify the period (“the consultation period”) within which a person may make representations about the proposed code.

(3)Before a code under section 105ZC prepared by the Authority is issued, the Minister may direct the Authority—

(a)not to issue the code, or

(b)to issue the code with specified modifications.

(4)Subsection (3) is subject to subsections (6) and (7).

(5)In this section “the Minister” means—

(a)the Secretary of State, so far as the code relates to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in England;

(b)the Welsh Ministers, so far as the code relates to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales.

(6)The power under subsection (3) may not be exercised more than once by the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers.

(7)If the power under subsection (3) is not exercised by the Secretary of State or the Welsh Ministers on the first occasion on which it may be exercised by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Welsh Ministers, it may not be exercised by the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Welsh Ministers on a later occasion.

(8)A direction under subsection (3) must be given within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after the end of the consultation period, and a code in relation to which a direction may be given may not be issued before that period of 28 days has expired.

(9)This section is subject to section 105ZE.

105ZECodes under section 105ZC: minor or urgent revisions

(1)This section applies if the Authority proposes to issue a revised code under section 105ZC and, in the view of the Authority, the revision or each of the revisions proposed to be made is—

(a)a revision for which consultation is unnecessary, or

(b)a revision that it is necessary or desirable to make without delay.

(2)Section 105ZD does not apply to the proposed revised code.

(3)Once the Authority has issued the revised code, it must give notice as soon as reasonably practicable of—

(a)the issuing of the revised code, and

(b)as regards each revision contained in it, whether in the view of the Authority the revision falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1).

(4)Notice under subsection (3) is to be given to such persons as the Authority considers appropriate.

(5)Unless the Authority gives notice that a revision in a revised code is in the view of the Authority a revision falling within subsection (1)(a), the revision ceases to have effect at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day after that on which the revised code is issued.

105ZFRules about charges in connection with a section 104 agreement

(1)The Authority may issue rules about charges that may be imposed by a sewerage undertaker under a section 104 agreement.

(2)The rules may in particular make provision about—

(a)what types of charge may be imposed;

(b)the amount or the maximum amount, or a method for determining the amount or maximum amount, of any type of charge;

(c)principles for determining what types of charge may or may not be imposed;

(d)principles for determining the amount of any charge that may be imposed;

(e)publication of the charges that may be imposed.

(3)The rules may require a sewerage undertaker, upon declaring a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works to be vested in the undertaker in accordance with a section 104 agreement, to pay to the other party to the agreement an amount (which may be nil) determined in accordance with the rules.

(4)Rules made by virtue of subsection (3) may, in particular, provide for the determination to take into account—

(a)revenue that might be derived from the sewer, drain or sewage disposal works in question;

(b)costs that might have been incurred in providing such a sewer, drain or sewage disposal works.

(5)The rules may also make provision as to—

(a)the amount of security that may be required by a sewerage undertaker for the purposes of any charges imposed by the sewerage undertaker under a section 104 agreement;

(b)the type of security that may be required;

(c)the payment of interest on a sum deposited with a sewerage undertaker by way of security.

(6)If the Authority considers that a sewerage undertaker is not acting as required by rules under this section, the Authority may give the undertaker a direction to do, or not to do, a particular thing specified in the direction.

(7)It is the duty of a sewerage undertaker to comply with a direction under subsection (6), and this duty is enforceable by the Authority under section 18.

(8)The rules may make different provision for different sewerage undertakers or descriptions of undertaker.

(9)The Authority may from time to time revise rules issued under this section and issue revised rules.

(10)The Authority must issue revised rules if—

(a)guidance is issued under section 105ZI, and

(b)the Authority, having regard to that guidance, considers that it is appropriate to revise the rules.

(11)Revised rules may include provision for applying any of their revisions to section 104 agreements made before the revised rules come into effect.

105ZGRules under section 105ZF: procedure

(1)Before issuing rules under section 105ZF, the Authority must—

(a)prepare a draft of the proposed rules, and

(b)consult the relevant persons about the draft.

(2)The relevant persons are—

(a)the Secretary of State;

(b)the Welsh Ministers;

(c)the Council;

(d)any sewerage undertakers or other persons likely to be affected by the rules;

(e)such other persons as the Authority thinks appropriate.

(3)The Authority must specify the period (“the consultation period”) within which the relevant persons may make representations about the proposed rules.

(4)The Authority must have regard to guidance issued under section 105ZI in making rules under section 105ZF.

(5)Before rules under section 105ZF prepared by the Authority are issued, the Minister may direct the Authority not to issue the rules.

(6)In subsection (5) “the Minister” means—

(a)the Secretary of State, so far as the rules relate to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in England;

(b)the Welsh Ministers, so far as the rules relate to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales.

(7)A direction under subsection (5) must be given within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after the end of the consultation period, and rules may not be issued before that period of 28 days has expired.

(8)This section is subject to section 105ZH.

105ZHRules under section 105ZF: minor or urgent revisions

(1)This section applies if the Authority proposes to issue revised rules under section 105ZF and, in the view of the Authority, the revision or each of the revisions proposed to be made is—

(a)a revision for which consultation is unnecessary, or

(b)a revision that it is necessary or desirable to make without delay.

(2)Section 105ZG does not apply to the proposed revised rules.

(3)Before issuing the revised rules, the Authority must give notice to the Minister of its intention to issue revised rules.

(4)Before the revised rules are issued, the Minister may direct the Authority not to issue the revised rules.

(5)A direction under subsection (4) must be given within the period of 14 days beginning with the day after the day on which notice is given under subsection (3), and the Authority may not issue the revised rules in question before—

(a)that period of 14 days expires, or

(b)the Minister notifies the Authority that no direction under subsection (4) will be given in relation to the revised rules,

whichever is the sooner.

(6)Once the Authority has issued the revised rules, it must give notice as soon as reasonably practicable of—

(a)the issuing of the revised rules, and

(b)as regards each revision contained in them, whether in the view of the Authority the revision falls within paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (1).

(7)Notice under subsection (6) is to be given to such persons as the Authority considers appropriate.

(8)Unless the Authority gives notice that a revision in revised rules is in the view of the Authority a revision falling within subsection (1)(a), the revision ceases to have effect at the end of the period of six months beginning with the day after that on which the revised rules are issued.

(9)In this section “the Minister” has the meaning given by section 105ZG.

105ZIRules under section 105ZF: guidance

(1)The Minister may issue guidance as to the content of rules under section 105ZF.

(2)Before issuing the guidance, the Minister must—

(a)prepare a draft of the proposed guidance;

(b)consult the relevant persons about the draft.

(3)The relevant persons are—

(a)the Secretary of State;

(b)the Welsh Ministers;

(c)such other persons as the Minister thinks appropriate.

(4)The Minister may from time to time revise the guidance and issue revised guidance.

(5)Subsections (2) and (3) apply to revised guidance as they apply to the original guidance.

(6)The Minister must arrange for the publication of guidance issued under this section.

(7)In this section “the Minister” means—

(a)the Secretary of State, so far as the guidance is as to the content of rules relating to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in England;

(b)the Welsh Ministers, so far as the guidance is as to the content of rules relating to section 104 agreements for the vesting of sewers, drains or sewage disposal works in sewerage undertakers whose areas are wholly or mainly in Wales.

(4)In section 107 (right of sewerage undertaker to undertake the making of communications with public sewers), after subsection (1) there is inserted—

(1A)A sewerage undertaker may not give notice to a person under subsection (1) if—

(a)the undertaker and the person entered into an agreement under section 104, and

(b)the agreement provides for the communication to which the person's proposal relates to be made by the person.

(5)In section 108 (communication works by person entitled to communication), in subsection (1), after “section 106 above” there is inserted “ or may not make such an election because of section 107(1A) ”.

Commencement Information

I1S. 11(1) in force at 18.12.2015 for specified purposes by S.I. 2015/1938, art. 2(c)(i)

I2S. 11(1) in force at 1.4.2017 for E. for specified purposes by S.I. 2017/462, art. 3(e)(i)

I3S. 11(1)(3) in force at 1.10.2017 for E. in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2017/462, art. 4(b)

I4S. 11(2)(4) in force at 1.10.2017 for E. by S.I. 2017/462, art. 4(b)

I5S. 11(3) in force at 18.12.2015 for specified purposes by S.I. 2015/1938, art. 2(c)(ii)

I6S. 11(3) in force at 1.4.2017 for E. for specified purposes by S.I. 2017/462, art. 3(e)(ii)

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Impact Assessments

Impact Assessments generally accompany all UK Government interventions of a regulatory nature that affect the private sector, civil society organisations and public services. They apply regardless of whether the regulation originates from a domestic or international source and can accompany primary (Acts etc) and secondary legislation (SIs). An Impact Assessment allows those with an interest in the policy area to understand:

  • Why the government is proposing to intervene;
  • The main options the government is considering, and which one is preferred;
  • How and to what extent new policies may impact on them; and,
  • The estimated costs and benefits of proposed measures.
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources