Section 31 – Agreements about activities
50.This section inserts a new section 68A into the 1980 Act which enables Scottish Water to enter into voluntary agreements with the owners and occupiers of land, or with local authorities, for the carrying out of activities which Scottish Water considers will help protect or improve the quality of raw water. Scottish Water may also enter into agreements whereby one party agrees to refrain from carrying out activities which Scottish Water considers detrimental to the quality of raw water.
51.Since new section 68A of the 1980 Act makes provision for Scottish Water to enter into agreements with owners or occupiers of land and local authorities regarding works to protect or improve raw water quality, there is no longer any need for agreements made under section 68 of that Act to concern works for the purpose of preserving the purity of water (purity being one aspect of water quality). Section 31 also therefore consequentially amends section 68 of the 1980 Act so that agreements which may be provided for under that section are limited to those which concern drainage or the more effectual collection or conveyance of water which Scottish Water is authorised to take.