Water (Scotland) Act 1980

13 Supply of water in bulk

(1) A water authority or water development board may enter into an agreement with any other persons, whether a water authority or water development board or not, for the giving by those other persons, and the taking by the authority or board, of a supply of water in bulk for any period and on any terms and conditions, and, where the supply is to be given by persons who are themselves such an authority or board, either within or outside their limits of supply or area as the case may be.

(2) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that it is expedient that a water authority or water development board should give to any other such authority or board, and that that other authority or board should take, a supply of water in bulk, either within or outside the limits of supply or area of the authority or board by whom the supply is to be given, and he is satisfied that the giving and taking of such supply cannot be secured by agreement, he may by order require the respective authorities or boards to give and to take such supply for such period and on such terms and conditions as may be provided in the order.

(3) For the purpose of laying any pipes or installing any apparatus connected therewith, being pipes or apparatus required for giving or taking a supply of water in pursuance of an agreement or order made under this section, a water authority or water development board may exercise, either within or outside their limits of supply or area, as the case may be, the like powers with respect to laying mains and breaking open streets as are exercisable by them under this Act for the purpose of laying mains, but subject to the like conditions and obligations.

(4) Subject to subsection (5) the provisions of Part II of Schedule 1 shall apply to the making of orders under subsection (2).

(5) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that, by reason of an exceptional shortage of rain or by reason of any accident or other unforeseen circumstances, a serious deficiency in the supply of water exists or is threatened in any locality, the provisions of Part II of Schedule 1 shall not apply to the making of an order under this section, and the Secretary of State may, if he considers that the interests of public health so require, direct that the provisions of this Act with respect to laying mains and breaking open streets and the street works code in the [1950 c. 39.] Public Utilities Street Works Act 1950 shall, in relation to any works to be carried out for the purposes of that order, have effect subject to such modifications as he may think necessary for the avoidance of delay, but any agreement or order to which this subsection applies shall cease to have effect at the expiration of such period not exceeding two years as the Secretary of State may direct.

(6) Nothing in this section shall affect any right of a navigation authority under any enactment to prohibit, or impose restrictions on, the supply of water in bulk by a water authority or water development board.