Explanatory Memorandum

Reservoirs Act (Northern Ireland) 2015

2015 CHAPTER 8

24 July 2015

Overview

12.The Act contains 9 Parts, 132 Sections and 4 Schedules. The Act makes provision for the regulation of the management, construction and alteration of certain reservoirs, in particular, in relation to their safety to collect and store water; and for connected purposes.

13.The Department will commence the Act in two phases. Phase 1 will include the parts of the Act required to set the legislative foundation in place, for example, what is a controlled reservoir, who is reservoir manager, reservoir registration, reservoir designation, requirement for an initial inspection of a reservoir, and associated sections or part sections. Phase 1 will commence either on the day after Royal Assent or on such day or days as the Department may by order appoints. Phase 2 will include all other parts of the Act, such as the requirement to commission a supervising engineer, the requirement to undertake works directed in inspection reports, further inspections, and associated sections or part sections. Phase 2 sections can only be commenced after a draft order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.