The Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1997

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Surface Waters (Dangerous Substances) (Classification) Regulations 1997 and shall come into force on 26th November 1997.

Classification of inland freshwaters

2.  The classification DS4 and the criteria for that classification set out in Schedule 1 to these Regulations shall apply for classifying inland freshwaters(1) with a view to reducing the pollution of those waters by the dangerous substances listed in that Schedule.

Classification of coastal waters and relevant territorial waters

3.  The classification DS5 and the criteria for that classification set out in Schedule 2 to these Regulations shall apply for classifying coastal waters(1) and relevant territorial waters(1) with a view to reducing the pollution of those waters by the dangerous substances listed in that Schedule.

Sampling

4.  The Environment Agency shall ensure that waters classified under these Regulations are sampled at such sampling points and at such times, and samples are analysed in such manner, as the Agency considers necessary for—

(a) monitoring the effect on those waters of discharges containing the dangerous substances in question; and

(b) determining the extent to which those waters are polluted by those substances and whether the requirements for the relevant classification are satisfied.

Modification of section 83 of the Water Resources Act 1991

5.  Section 83 of the Water Resources Act 1991 (water quality objectives) shall have effect as if—

(a) it imposed a duty on the Secretary of State to exercise his powers under that section to apply the classification DS4 to all inland freshwaters and the classification DS5 to all coastal waters and relevant territorial waters and to specify 1st April 1998 as the relevant date in each case; and

(b) in relation to performance of that duty and the resulting water quality objectives, subsections (3) to (6) of that section (reviews and consultation requirements) were omitted.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State

Michael Meacher

Minister of State,

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

22nd October 1997

Ron Davies

Secretary of State for Wales

24th October 1997