Water Industry Act 1991

Requisition of public sewer E+W

98 Duty to comply with sewer requisition. E+W

(1) It shall be the duty of a sewerage undertaker (in accordance with section 101 below) to provide a public sewer to be used for the drainage for domestic purposes of premises in a particular locality in its area if-

(a) the undertaker is required to provide the sewer by a notice served on the undertaker by one or more of the persons who under subsection (2) below are entitled to require the provision of the sewer for that locality;

(b) the premises in that locality the drainage of which would be by means of that sewer are—

(i) premises on which there are buildings; or

(ii) premises on which there will be buildings when proposals made by any person for the erection of any buildings are carried out;

and

(c) the conditions specified in section 99 below are satisfied in relation to that requirement.

[F1 (1A) It shall be the duty of a sewerage undertaker (in accordance with section 101 below) to provide a lateral drain to communicate with a public sewer and to be used for the drainage for domestic purposes of premises in its area if—

(a) the undertaker is required to provide the lateral drain by a notice served on the undertaker by one or more of the persons who under subsection (2A) below are entitled to require the provision of the lateral drain;

(b) the premises the drainage of which would be by means of that lateral drain are—

(i) premises on which there are buildings; or

(ii) premises on which there will be buildings when proposals made by any person for the erection of any buildings are carried out; and

(c) the conditions specified in section 99 below are satisfied in relation to that requirement.]

(2) Each of the following persons shall be entitled to require the provision of a public sewer for any locality, that is to say—

(a) the owner of any premises in that locality;

(b) the occupier of any premises in that locality;

(c) any local authority within whose area the whole or any part of that locality is situated;

[F2 (ca) where the whole or any part of that locality is situated within a Mayoral development area, the Mayoral development corporation;]

(d) where the whole or any part of that locality is situated in a new town, within the meaning of the M1 New Towns Act 1981—

(i) the [F3 new towns residuary body]; and

(ii) F4 . . . the development corporation for the new town F4 . . .;

and

(e) where the whole or any part of that locality is situated within an area designated as an urban development area under Part XVI of the M2 Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, the urban development corporation.

[F5 (2A) Each of the following persons shall be entitled to require the provision of a lateral drain, that is to say—

(a) the owner of the premises the drainage of which would be by means of that lateral drain;

(b) the occupier of those premises;

(c) any local authority within whose area those premises are situated;

(d) where those premises are situated in a new town, within the meaning of the New Towns Act 1981—

(i) the [F6 new towns residuary body]; and

(ii) the development corporation for the new town; and

(e) where those premises are situated within an area designated as an urban development area under Part 16 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980, the urban development corporation.]

F7 (2B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3) The duty of a sewerage undertaker under this section to provide a public sewer [F8 or, as the case may be, a lateral drain] shall be owed to the person who requires the provision of the sewer [F9 or lateral drain] or , as the case may be, to each of the persons who joins in doing so.

(4) Where a duty is owed by virtue of subsection (3) above to any person, any breach of that duty which causes that person to sustain loss or damage shall be actionable at the suit of that person; but, in any proceedings brought against a [F10 sewerage] undertaker in pursuance of this subsection, it shall be a defence for the undertaker to show that it took all reasonable steps and exercised all due diligence to avoid the breach.

(5) In this section the reference to domestic purposes, in relation to the drainage of premises F11 . . . to which a requirement under this section relates, is a reference—

(a) where there are buildings on [F12 those premises] , to such domestic sewerage purposes as are specified in relation to those buildings in the requirement; and

(b) where any person is proposing to erect buildings on [F13 those premises] , to such domestic sewerage purposes as are so specified in relation to the buildings and to times after the erection of the buildings.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 98(1A) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(2), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F2 S. 98(2)(ca) inserted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(1)(l), Sch. 22 para. 42

F3 Words in s. 98(2)(d)(i) substituted (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 56, 325, Sch. 8 para. 58(a); S.I. 2008/3068, art. 2(1)(w) (with savings and transitional provisions in arts. 6-13)

F4 Words in s. 98(2)(d)(ii) repealed (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 152, Sch. 18 Pt. IV (with ss. 137(1), 139(2), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4

F5 S. 98(2A) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(3), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F6 Words in s. 98(2A)(d)(i) substituted (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), ss. 56, 325, Sch. 8 para. 58(b); S.I. 2008/3068, art. 2(1)(w) (with savings and transitional provisions in arts. 6-13)

F7 S. 98(2B) omitted (E.) (31.10.2021) by virtue of The Water and Sewerage Undertakers (Exit from Non-household Retail Market) (Consequential Provision) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1208), regs. 1(2), 2(6)

F8 Words in s. 98(3) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F9 Words in s. 98(3) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4 (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F10 Word in s. 98(4) substituted (1.7.1992) by Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 (c. 43), s. 56(6), Sch. 1 para. 26; Competition and Service (Utilities) Act 1992 (Commencement No. 1) Order 1992, art. 3, Sch. Pt. I

F11 Words in s. 98(5) repealed (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(5)(a), 101(2), 105(3), Sch. 9 Pt. 3; S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b)(d)(i) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F12 Words in s. 98(5)(a) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(5)(b), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F13 Words in s. 98(5)(b) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(5)(c), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

Marginal Citations

M1 1981 c. 64.

M2 1980 c. 65.

99 Financial conditions of compliance. E+W

(1) The conditions mentioned in section 98(1)(c) [F14 or 98(1A)(c)] above are satisfied in relation to a requirement for the provision of a public sewer [F15 or (as the case may be) lateral drain] by a sewerage undertaker if—

(a) such undertakings as the undertaker may have reasonably required in accordance with subsection (2) [F16 or, as the case may be, subsection (2A)] below have been given by the person or persons who have required the provision of the sewer [F15 or (as the case may be) lateral drain] ; and

(b) [F17 such security as charging rules allow and the undertaker may have required] has been provided for the discharge of any obligations imposed by those undertakings on any person who, under subsection (3) below, may be required to secure his undertakings.

(2) The undertakings which a sewerage undertaker may require for the purposes of subsection (1) above in respect of any public sewer are undertakings which—

[F18 (a) bind the person or persons mentioned in that subsection to pay to the undertaker such charges as the undertaker may impose in accordance with charging rules, and]

(b) in the case of undertakings binding two or more persons, bind them either jointly and severally or with liability to pay apportioned in such manner as they may agree.

[F19 (2A) The undertakings which a sewerage undertaker may require for the purposes of subsection (1) above in respect of any lateral drain are undertakings which—

F20 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) in the case of undertakings binding two or more persons, bind them either jointly and severally or with liability apportioned in such manner as they may agree.]

[F21 (3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above a person may be required to secure his undertakings in relation to the provision of a public sewer or, as the case may be, a lateral drain if—

(a) it was by virtue of section 98(2)(a) or (b) or (as the case may be) section 98(2A)(a) or (b) above that he required, or joined in requiring, the provision of the sewer or drain; and

(b) he is not a public authority.]

F22 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F23 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) Any dispute between a sewerage undertaker and any other person as to—

(a) the undertakings or security required by the undertaker for the purposes of this section; or

(b) the amount [F24 or amounts by way of charges] required to be paid in pursuance of any such undertaking,

[F25 may be referred to the Authority for determination under section 30A above by either party to the dispute.]

[F26 (7) [F27 In this section “relevant deficit” and “discounted aggregate deficit” have the meanings given by sections 100 and 100A below, respectively.]]

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in s. 99(1) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(6)(a)(i), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F15 Words in s. 99(1) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(6)(a)(ii), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F16 Words in s. 99(1)(a) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(6)(a)(iii), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F17 Words in s. 99(1)(b) substituted (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(a), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F18 S. 99(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(b), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F19 S. 99(2A) inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(6)(b), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F20 S. 99(2A)(a) substituted (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(c), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F21 S. 99(3) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(6)(c), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(c) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F22 S. 99(4) repealed (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(d), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F23 S. 99(5) repealed (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(d), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F24 Words in s. 99(6)(b) inserted (1.4.2018) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), ss. 19(2)(e), 94(3); S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(b) (with art. 14)

F25 Words in s. 99(6) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 93(1)(b)(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F26 S. 99(7) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 93(1)(c)(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F27 S. 99(7) repealed (1.4.2018 for specified purposes) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 87; S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(e)(iii) (with art. 14) (as amended by S.I. 2017/926, art. 2(3))

100 Calculation of “relevant deficit” for the purposes of section 99. E+W

[F28 (1) For the purposes of section 99 above the relevant deficit for any year on a public sewer is the amount (if any) by which the drainage charges payable for the use during that year of that sewer are exceeded by the annual borrowing costs of a loan of the amount required for the provision of that sewer.

(2) The annual borrowing costs of a loan of the amount required for the provision of a public sewer is the aggregate amount which would fall to be paid in any year by way of payments of interest and repayments of capital if an amount equal to so much of the costs reasonably incurred in providing that sewer as were not incurred in the provision of additional capacity had been borrowed, by the sewerage undertaker providing the sewer, on terms—

(a) requiring interest to be paid and capital to be repaid in twelve equal annual instalments; and

(b) providing for the amount of the interest to be calculated at such rate, and in accordance with such other provision, as may have been determined for the purposes of this subsection.

(3) A determination for the purposes of subsection (2) above shall be made either—

(a) by the undertaker with the approval of the Director; or

(b) in default of such a determination, by the Director.

(4) For the purposes of this section the costs reasonably incurred in providing a public sewer (“the new sewer”) shall include—

(a) the costs reasonably incurred in providing such other public sewers and such pumping stations as it is necessary to provide in consequence of the provision of the new sewer; and

(b) such proportion (if any) as is reasonable of the costs reasonably incurred in providing any such additional capacity in an earlier public sewer as falls to be used in consequence of the provision of the new sewer.

(5) In subsection (4) above the reference to an earlier public sewer, in relation to the new sewer, is a reference to any public sewer which—

(a) has been provided in the period of twelve years immediately before the provision of the new sewer; and

(b) was so provided in pursuance of a public sewer requisition.

(6) Any reference in this section to the provision of additional capacity in a public sewer provided in pursuance of a requirement under any enactment is a reference to such works carried out or other things done in connection with the provision of that sewer as are carried out or done for the purpose of enabling that sewer to be used for purposes in addition to those for which it is necessary to provide the sewer in order to comply with the requirement.

(7) Any reference in this section to the drainage charges payable for the use during any year of any sewer provided by a sewerage undertaker is a reference to so much of the aggregate of any charges payable to the sewerage undertaker in respect of services provided in the course of that year as represents charges which—

(a) have been imposed by the undertaker in relation to such of the premises connected with that sewer as are premises where there are buildings; and

(b) are reasonably attributable to the use of that sewer for the drainage for domestic sewerage purposes of those premises or to the disposal of effluent drained for any such purpose from those premises.

(8) An approval or determination given or made by the Director for the purposes of subsection (2) above—

(a) may be given or made in relation to the provision of a particular public sewer, in relation to the provision of sewers of a particular description or in relation to the provision of public sewers generally; and

(b) may be revoked at any time except in relation to a public sewer [F29 in respect of which the conditions referred to in section 99(1) above have already been satisfied.]

(9) In this section “public sewer requisition” means—

(a) a requirement under section 98 above (including, by virtue of paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the M3 Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991, a requirement under section 71 of the M4 Water Act 1989);

(b) a requirement under the provisions of section 16 of the M5 Water Act 1973 (sewer requisitions); or

(c) a requirement under any local statutory provision corresponding to section 98 above or to any of the provisions of that section 16.]

Textual Amendments

F28 S. 100 repealed (1.4.2018 for specified purposes) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 88; S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(e)(iii) (with art. 14) (as amended by S.I. 2017/926, art. 2(3))

F29 Words in s. 100(8)(b) substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 93(2), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

Marginal Citations

M3 1991 c. 60.

M4 1989 c. 15.

M5 1973 c. 37.

[F30 100A Calculation of “discounted aggregate deficit” for the purposes of section 99 E+W

[F31 (1) For the purposes of section 99 above the discounted aggregate deficit on a public sewer is the amount equal to the sum of the estimated relevant deficits for each of the twelve years following the provision of the sewer, in each case discounted in accordance with subsection (6) below.

(2) The estimated relevant deficit for any year is the amount (if any) by which the estimated drainage charges payable for the use during that year of that sewer would be exceeded by the annual borrowing costs of a loan of the amount required for the provision of that sewer.

(3) Subsections (2) to (6), (8) and (9) of section 100 above (which relate to the annual borrowing costs of a loan of the amount required for the provision of a public sewer) shall apply for the purposes of this section as they apply for the purposes of that section.

(4) Any reference in this section to the estimated drainage charges payable for the use during any year of any sewer is a reference to so much of the aggregate of any charges expected to be payable to the sewerage undertaker for the provision of services in the course of that year as would represent charges—

(a) imposed by the undertaker in relation to such of the premises with which the sewer is expected to be connected as are premises where there are buildings; and

(b) reasonably attributable to the use of that sewer for the drainage for domestic sewerage purposes of those premises or to the disposal of effluent drained for any such purposes from those premises.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) above, a thing is expected to be the case if, at the time the relevant calculation is made, it is reasonably likely to occur.

(6) The estimated relevant deficit for a year mentioned in subsection (1) above shall be discounted in order to determine its net present value by applying such factor, and in accordance with such other provision, as may be determined by the Authority.

(7) A determination made by the Authority for the purposes of subsection (6) above—

(a) may be made in relation to the provision of a particular public sewer or in relation to the provision of public sewers generally; and

(b) may be revoked at any time except in relation to a public sewer in respect of which the conditions referred to in section 99(1) above have already been satisfied.]]

Textual Amendments

F30 S. 100A inserted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 93(3)(4), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)

F31 S. 100A repealed (1.4.2018 for specified purposes) by Water Act 2014 (c. 21), s. 94(3), Sch. 7 para. 88; S.I. 2017/462, art. 5(e)(iii) (with art. 14) (as amended by S.I. 2017/926, art. 2(3))

[F32 101 Determination of completion date and route for requisitioned sewer or lateral drain. E+W

(1) A sewerage undertaker shall not be in breach of a duty imposed by section 98 above in relation to any locality or (in the case of a lateral drain) in relation to any premises unless—

(a) the period of six months beginning with the relevant day has expired; and

(b) the sewerage undertaker has not, before the end of that period, so laid (as the case may be)—

(i) the public sewer to be provided as to enable drains and private sewers to be used for the drainage of premises in the locality to communicate with the public sewer; or

(ii) the lateral drain to be provided as to enable the drain to be used for the drainage of premises to communicate with a public sewer vested in that undertaker,

at the place or places determined under subsection (3) below.

(2) The period mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above may be extended—

(a) by agreement between the undertaker and the person or persons who required the provision of the public sewer or, as the case may be, lateral drain; or

(b) where there is a dispute as to whether the period should be extended, by the Authority on a reference under subsection (4) below.

(3) The places mentioned in subsection (1)(b) above shall be—

(a) such place or places as are determined by agreement between the sewerage undertaker and the person or persons who required the provision of the public sewer or, as the case may be, lateral drain; or

(b) in default of agreement, such place or places as are determined by the Authority on a reference under subsection (4) below to be the place or places at which it is reasonable, in all the circumstances—

(i) in relation to the provision of a public sewer, for drains or private sewers to be used for the drainage of premises in the locality in question to communicate with the public sewer; or

(ii) in relation to the provision of a lateral drain—

(a) for the lateral drain to communicate with a public sewer vested in the undertaker; and

(b) for the remainder of the drain of which the lateral drain forms part to connect with the lateral drain.

(4) A reference for the purposes of subsection (2) or (3) above may be made to the Authority for determination under section 30A above by either party to the dispute.

(5) In this section “relevant day”, in relation to a requirement to provide a public sewer for any locality or, as the case may be, a lateral drain, means the day after whichever is the later of the following—

(a) the day on which the conditions specified in section 99 above are satisfied in relation to the requirement; and

(b) the day on which the place or places where (as the case may be)—

(i) drains or private sewers to be used for the drainage of premises in that locality will communicate with the public sewer; or

(ii) the lateral drain will communicate with a public sewer and the remainder of the drain will connect with the lateral drain,

are determined under subsection (3) above.]

Textual Amendments

F32 S. 101 substituted (28.5.2004) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 95(7)(8), 105(3); S.I. 2004/641, art. 4(b) (with Sch. 3 para. 7)