Water Industry Act 1991

[F1105A Schemes for the adoption of sewers, lateral drains and sewage disposal worksE+W

(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations provide for him to make schemes for the adoption by sewerage undertakers of sewers, lateral drains and sewage disposal works of the descriptions set out in paragraphs (a), (aa) and (b) of section 102(1) above.

(2)The regulations may require sewerage undertakers to prepare draft schemes and to submit them to the Secretary of State.

(3)Each scheme shall relate to—

(a)the area of a sewerage undertaker, or part or parts of it; or

(b)the areas of more than one sewerage undertaker, or part or parts of them.

(4)It shall be the duty of a sewerage undertaker, in specified circumstances, to exercise its powers under section 102 above with a view to making the declaration referred to in subsection (1) of that section in relation to sewers, lateral drains or sewage disposal works which—

(a)fall within the area to which a scheme relates; and

(b)satisfy specified criteria.

(5)The circumstances and the criteria shall each be—

(a)specified in the regulations; or

(b)determined in accordance with the regulations and specified in the scheme.

(6)In relation to the exercise of those powers pursuant to that duty—

(a)section 102 above shall have effect—

(i)with the omission of subsections (2), (5) and (7);

(ii)as if in subsection (1) the words “sections 103, 105 and 146(3) below” read “section 105B below”;

(iii)with the omission of the words “or application” in subsection (3);

(iv)as if for subsection (4)(a) there were substituted—

(a)shall give notice of its proposal to the owner or owners of the sewer, lateral drain or works in question unless, after diligent enquiry, he or they cannot be traced;

(aa)shall publish notice of its proposal in the prescribed manner; and;

(v)as if in subsection (4)(b) “two months” read “two months or, if longer, the period specified by virtue of section 105B(5) below” and “section 105 below” read “section 105B(4) or (5) below, or”; and

(vi)as if section 96(3) of the Water Act 2003 did not apply;

(b)sections 103 and 105 above shall not apply; and

(c)if the regulations so provide, section 146(3) below shall not apply in circumstances or cases specified in the regulations.

(7)A duty imposed on a sewerage undertaker under subsection (4) above shall be enforceable by the Secretary of State under section 18 above.

(8)A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1) above shall not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.]

Textual Amendments

F1Ss. 105A-105C inserted (1.4.2007) by Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 98, 105(3); S.I. 2007/1021, art. 2(b)