The Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006

49.—(1) In Article 16(2) for “Article 35(2) of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 (NI 2)” substitute

• “(a)

  an agreement under Article 16A; and

  (b)

  Article 207 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006,”.

(2) After Article 16 insert—

“Supply of water by water undertakers

16A.— (1) The Board may enter into an agreement with a water undertaker for the purposes of Article 15.

(2) An agreement under paragraph (1) may include terms as to payment to be made to the undertaker, subject to Article 207 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

(3) A water undertaker shall enter into any agreement reasonably proposed by the Board under paragraph (1).

(4) An obligation of a water undertaker under an agreement under paragraph (1), or under paragraph (3), is enforceable by the Department for Regional Development under Article 30 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

Emergency supply by water undertakers

16B.— (1) If the Board requests a water undertaker to provide a supply and pressure of water for the purposes of extinguishing a fire that is greater than the undertaker would otherwise provide, the undertaker shall take all necessary steps in order to do so.

(2) For the purposes of complying with its obligation under paragraph (1) a water undertaker may shut off the water from the mains and pipes in any area.

(3) No authority or person shall be liable to any penalty or claim arising because of anything done by a water undertaker in complying with its obligation under paragraph (1).

(4) A water undertaker commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, it fails to take any step which it is obliged to take under paragraph (1).

(5) A water undertaker guilty of an offence under paragraph (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.”.

(3) For Article 17 substitute—

“Fire hydrants

17.— (1) A water undertaker shall cause the location of every fire hydrant provided by it to be clearly indicated by a notice or distinguishing mark.

(2) A water undertaker may place such a notice or mark on a wall or fence adjoining a road or public place.

(3) The expenses incurred by a water undertaker under paragraph (1) in relation to a fire hydrant shall be borne by the Board.

(4) The Department may make regulations providing for uniformity in fire hydrants provided by water undertakers and in notices or marks indicating their location.

(5) An obligation of a water undertaker under paragraph (1), or regulations under paragraph (4), shall be enforceable by the Department for Regional Development under Article 30 of the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.

(6) A person commits an offence if he uses a fire hydrant otherwise than—

(a) for the purposes of extinguishing fires; or

(b) for any other purpose specified in Article 15(2); or

(c) for any purpose authorised by the water undertaker or other person to whom the hydrant belongs.

(7) A person commits an offence if he damages or obstructs a fire hydrant, otherwise than in consequence of use for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (6).

(8) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (6) or (7) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

Notice of works affecting water supply and fire hydrants

17A.— (1) A person who proposes to carry out works for the purpose of supplying water shall give at least 6 weeks' notice in writing to the Board.

(2) A person who proposes to carry out works affecting a fire hydrant shall give at least 7 days' notice in writing to the Board.

(3) If it is not practicable for a person to give notice as required by paragraph (1) or (2), he shall be regarded as having given the notice required by that paragraph if he gives it as soon as practicable.

(4) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to give notice as required by paragraph (1) or (2).

(5) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.”.