The Water Act 2003 (Commencement No. 5, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order brings into force on 1st October 2005, 1st December 2005 and 1st April 2006 certain provisions of the Water Act 2003 (“the Act”), and makes transitional provision and savings in respect of some of those provisions.

The provisions of Part 2 of the Act brought into force on 1st October 2005 establish the Consumer Council for Water and abolish the customer service committees maintained under section 28 of the Water Industry Act 1991. They also enable the making of certain subordinate legislation to establish the new water supply licensing regime.

The provisions of Part 3 of the Act brought into force on 1st October 2005 require water undertakers to prepare and maintain drought plans.

The provisions of Part 2 of the Act brought into force on 1st December 2005 establish the water supply licensing regime.

The provisions of Part 2 of the Act brought into force on 1st April 2006 establish the Water Services Regulation Authority and abolish the office of the Director General of Water Services. They also require the Secretary of State, the National Assembly for Wales, the Water Services Regulation Authority, the Consumer Council for Water and the Environment Agency to make arrangements to facilitate co-operation between them in relation to water.

Transitional provisions and savings arising from the coming into force of certain provisions in Part 2 of the Act are made in the Schedule to this Order.