This Order commences section 7(1) and (2) of the Water Act 2014 (“the 2014 Act”) in so far as not already in force.

The Water Act 2014 (Commencement No. 1) (Scotland) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/360) commenced section 7(1) and (2) of the 2014 Act in so far as they insert paragraph 1A into Schedule 2 to the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the 2005 Act”). This Order commences section 7(1) and (2) for all remaining purposes.

The effect of this Order is that section 7 of the 2014 Act is commenced in full so that it inserts a new paragraph 1B into schedule 2 to the 2005 Act. The new paragraph 1B imposes a duty on the Water Industry Commission for Scotland to forward to the Water Services Regulation Authority an application for a grant of a water services licence or sewerage services licence when certain conditions are met.