C8C9Part III WATER SUPPLY
Part III: definition of "water fittings" applied (01.12.1991) by Statutory Water Companies Act 1991 (c. 58, SIF 130), ss. 15(1), 17(2).
chapter I GENERAL DUTIES OF WATER UNDERTAKERS
C137 General duty to maintain water supply system etc.
1
It shall be the duty of every water undertaker to develop and maintain an efficient and economical system of water supply within its area and to ensure that all such arrangements have been made—
a
for providing supplies of water to premises in that area and for making such supplies available to persons who demand them; and
b
for maintaining, improving and extending the water undertaker’s water mains and other pipes,
as are necessary for securing that the undertaker is and continues to be able to meet its obligations under this Part.
2
The duty of a water undertaker under this section shall be enforceable under section 18 above—
a
by the Secretary of State; or
b
with the consent of or in accordance with a general authorisation given by the Secretary of State, by the Director.
3
The obligations imposed on a water undertaker by the following Chapters of this Part, and the remedies available in respect of contraventions of those obligations, shall be in addition to any duty imposed or remedy available by virtue of any provision of this section or section 38 below and shall not be in any way qualified by any such provision.
C237AF21Water resources management plans: preparation and review
1
It shall be the duty of each water undertaker to prepare and maintain a water resources management plan.
2
A water resources management plan is a plan for how the water undertaker will manage and develop water resources so as to be able, and continue to be able, to meet its obligations under this Part.
3
A water resources management plan shall address in particular—
a
the water undertaker’s estimate of the quantities of water required to meet those obligations;
b
the measures which the water undertaker intends to take or continue for the purpose set out in subsection (2) above (also taking into account for that purpose the introduction of water into the undertaker’s supply system by or on behalf of licensed water suppliers);
c
the likely sequence and timing for implementing those measures; and
d
such other matters as the Secretary of State may specify in directions.
4
The procedure for preparing a water resources management plan (including a revised plan) is set out in section 37B below.
5
Before each anniversary of the date when its plan (or revised plan) was last published, the water undertaker shall —
a
review its plan; and
b
send a statement of the conclusions of its review to the Secretary of State.
6
The water undertaker shall prepare a revised plan in each of the following cases—
a
following conclusion of its annual review, if the review indicated a material change of circumstances;
b
if directed to do so by the Secretary of State;
c
in any event, not later than the end of the period of five years beginning with the date when the plan (or revised plan) was last published,
and shall follow the procedure in section 37B below (whether or not the revised plan prepared by the undertaker includes any proposed alterations to the previous plan).
7
The Secretary of State may give directions specifying—
a
the form which a water resources management plan must take;
b
the planning period to which a water resources management plan must relate.
8
Before preparing its water resources management plan (including a revised plan), the water undertaker shall consult—
a
the Environment Agency;
b
the Authority;
c
the Secretary of State; and
d
any licensed water supplier which supplies water to premises in the undertaker’s area via the undertaker’s supply system.
9
The Secretary of State shall consult the Environment Agency before giving a direction under subsection (6)(b) above.
10
In this section, in relation to a water resources management plan, “published” means published in accordance with section 37B(8)(a) below.
C337BWater resources management plans: publication and representations
1
A water undertaker shall—
a
send a draft water resources management plan to the Secretary of State;
b
state whether it appears to the undertaker that any information contained in that plan is or might be commercially confidential (as regards itself or another person); and
c
give the Secretary of State the name of each such other person and his address for service of a notice under subsection (2)(a) below.
2
If the water undertaker states that it so appears in relation to any such information, the Secretary of State shall—
a
if the person to whom or to whose business the information relates is not the water undertaker, give that person notice that the information is included in a draft water resources management plan and, unless subsection (10) below applies, is required to be published under this section; and
b
give each person (including the water undertaker) to whom any such information relates a reasonable opportunity—
i
of objecting to the publication of the information relating to him on the ground that it is commercially confidential; and
ii
of making representations to the Secretary of State for the purpose of justifying any such objection,
and shall determine, taking any objections and representations under paragraph (b) into account, whether the information is or is not commercially confidential.
3
A water undertaker shall—
a
(subject to subsection (10) below) publish the draft water resources management plan in the prescribed way or, if no way is prescribed, in a way calculated to bring it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it;
b
publish with it a statement—
i
whether any information has been excluded from the published draft plan by virtue of subsection (10) below and, if it has, the general nature of that information; and
ii
that any person may make representations in writing about the plan to the Secretary of State before the end of a period specified in the statement; and
c
send a copy of the published draft plan and accompanying statement to such persons (if any) as may be prescribed.
4
The Secretary of State shall send to the water undertaker a copy of any representations he receives following publication of the draft plan under subsection (3) above and shall give it a reasonable period of time within which to comment on the representations.
5
The Secretary of State may in regulations prescribe how such representations and any comments by the water undertaker on them are to be dealt with.
6
Regulations under subsection (5) above—
a
may provide for the Secretary of State to cause an inquiry or other hearing to be held in connection with the draft water resources management plan; and
b
if they do so provide, may provide for subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (local inquiries: evidence and costs) to apply with prescribed modifications to such an inquiry or hearing as they apply to inquiries under that section.
7
The Secretary of State may direct a water undertaker that its water resources management plan must differ from the draft sent to him under subsection (1) above in ways specified in his direction, and (subject to subsection (9) below) it shall be the duty of the water undertaker to comply with the direction.
8
The water undertaker shall—
a
(subject to subsection (10) below) publish the water resources management plan in the prescribed way or, if no way is prescribed, in a way calculated to bring it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it; and
b
publish with it a statement whether any information has been excluded from the published plan by virtue of subsection (10) below and, if it has, the general nature of that information.
9
If the water undertaker considers that publishing a water resources management plan complying with a direction under subsection (7) above would mean including in the published plan any information (other than any information in relation to which the Secretary of State has already made a determination under subsection (2) above) which might be commercially confidential (as regards itself or another person)—
a
the water undertaker shall send the Secretary of State a notice saying so, and giving the Secretary of State the name of any such other person and his address for service of a notice under subsection (2)(a) above as applied by paragraph (b) below; and
b
subsection (2) above shall apply in relation to that information as it applies in relation to the information referred to there;
and the Secretary of State may either confirm his direction under subsection (7) above (which is to be treated as a new direction under subsection (7)) or revoke the previous such direction (or the previous one so treated) and give a new one.
10
The published version of a draft water resources management plan published under subsection (3)(a) above, and a water resources management plan published under subsection (8)(a) above, shall exclude any information which the Secretary of State—
a
has determined under subsection (2) above (or that subsection as applied by subsection (9) above) is commercially confidential; or
b
directs the water undertaker to exclude on the ground that it appears to him that its publication would be contrary to the interests of national security.
11
Any steps to be taken by a water undertaker under this section shall be completed by such time or within such period as the Secretary of State may direct.
C437CWater resources management plans: provision of information
1
It shall be the duty of each licensed water supplier to provide the water undertaker with such information as the water undertaker may reasonably request for the purposes of preparing or revising its water resources management plan.
2
In the event of any dispute between a water undertaker and a licensed water supplier as to the reasonableness of the water undertaker’s request under subsection (1) above, either party may refer the matter for determination by the Secretary of State, and any such determination shall be final.
3
For the purposes of paragraph (b) of section 37B(1) above, the water undertaker shall identify in its statement under that paragraph any information—
a
provided by a licensed water supplier pursuant to subsection (1) above; and
b
contained in the water undertaker’s draft water resources management plan,
which the licensed water supplier has (at the time of providing it to the water undertaker) specifically identified as being, in the licensed water supplier’s opinion, commercially confidential.
4
The water undertaker shall not use any unpublished information save for the purpose of facilitating the performance by it of any of the duties imposed on it by or under this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts or the Water Act 1989.
5
In subsection (4) above—
a
“unpublished information” means confidential information which—
i
is provided to the water undertaker by a licensed water supplier under this section;
ii
relates to the affairs of any individual or to any particular business; and
iii
by virtue of section 37B above, is not published;
b
“the other consolidation Acts” has the same meaning as in section 206 below.
C537DWater resources management plans: supplementary
1
Directions given under section 37A or 37B above may be—
a
general directions applying to all water undertakers; or
b
directions applying only to one or more water undertakers specified in the directions,
and shall be given by an instrument in writing.
2
It shall be the duty of each water undertaker to whom directions apply to comply with the directions.
3
The duties of—
a
a water undertaker under sections 37A to 37C above and under this section; and
b
a licensed water supplier under section 37C above,
shall be enforceable by the Secretary of State under section 18 above.
38 Standards of performance in connection with water supply.
1
For the purpose-
a
of facilitating the determination of the extent to which breaches of the obligations imposed by the following provisions of this Part are to amount to breaches of the duty imposed by section 37 above; or
b
of supplementing that duty by establishing overall standards of performance in relation to that duty,
the Secretary of State may, in accordance with section 39 below, by regulations provide for contraventions of such requirements as may be prescribed to be treated for the purposes of this Act as breaches of that duty.
2
The Secretary of State may, in accordance with section 39 below, by regulations prescribe such standards of performance in connection with the provision of supplies of water as, in his opinion, ought to be achieved in individual cases.
3
Regulations under subsection (2) above may provide that if a water undertaker fails to meet a prescribed standard it shall pay such amount as may be prescribed to any person who is affected by the failure and is of a prescribed description.
4
Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by subsection (2) above, regulations under that subsection may—
a
include in a standard of performance a requirement for a water undertaker, in prescribed circumstances, to inform a person of his rights by virtue of any such regulations;
b
provide for any dispute under the regulations to be referred by either party to the dispute to the Director;
c
make provision for the procedure to be followed in connection with any such reference and for the Director’s determination on such a reference to be enforceable in such manner as may be prescribed;
d
prescribe circumstances in which a water undertaker is to be exempted from requirements of the regulations.
F15
Where the Director determines any dispute in accordance with regulations under this section he shall, in such manner as may be specified in the regulations, give his reasons for reaching his decision with respect to the dispute.
38AF2Information with respect to levels of performance.
1
The Director shall from time to time collect information with respect to—
a
the compensation paid by water undertakers under regulations under section 38(2) above; and
b
the levels of overall performance achieved by water undertakers in connection with the provision of water supplies.
2
At such times as the Director may direct, each water undertaker shall give the following information to the Director—
a
as respects each standard prescribed by regulations under section 38(2) above, the number of cases in which compensation was paid and the aggregate amount or value of that compensation; and
b
as respects each standard established by regulations under section 38(1)(b) above, such information with respect to the level of performance achieved by the undertaker as may be so specified.
3
A water undertaker who without reasonable excuse fails to do anything required of him by subsection (2) above shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.
4
The Director shall, at least once in every year, arrange for the publication, in such form and in such manner as he considers appropriate, of such of the information collected by or given to him under this section as it may appear to him expedient to give to customers or potential customers of water undertakers.
5
In arranging for the publication of any such information the Director shall have regard to the need for excluding, so far as practicable—
a
any matter which relates to the affairs of an individual, where publication of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the Director, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that individual; and
b
any matter which relates specifically to the affairs of a particular body of persons, whether corporate or unincorporate, where publication of that matter would or might, in the opinion of the Director, seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that body.
38BF22Publication of statistical information about complaints
1
It shall be the duty of the Council to publish, in such form and manner and with such frequency as it thinks appropriate, such statistical information as it considers appropriate relating to complaints made by consumers about any matter relating to the activities of water undertakers or licensed water suppliers and the handling of such complaints.
2
In subsection (1) above, “complaints” includes complaints made directly to water undertakers or licensed water suppliers (or anyone carrying on activities on their behalf) and complaints to the Authority, the Council, the Assembly or the Secretary of State.
39 Procedure for regulations under section 38.
F3A1
The Secretary of State may make regulations under section 38 above—
a
on an application by the Authority, in accordance with subsections (1) to (3) below; or
b
otherwise than on such an application, in accordance with subsections (4) to (8) below.
1
F4Where the Authority has made to the Secretary of State a written application complying with subsection (2) below, the Secretary of State may make regulations under section 38 above if—
F5b
the Secretary of State is satisfied that a copy of the application has been served by the Director—
i
on every water undertaker specified in the application;F6. . .
ii
on persons or bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of persons likely to be affected by the regulations;
F7iii
on the Council; and
iv
on such other persons or bodies as the Secretary of State may consider appropriate;
c
such period as the Secretary of State considers appropriate has been allowed for the making—
i
by the Director; and
ii
of representations or objections with respect to the Director’s proposals and any modifications proposed by the Secretary of State; and
d
the Secretary of State has considered F10the summary mentioned in subsection (2)(bb) below, the Director’s reasons for his proposals and every representation or objection which has been duly made with respect to those proposals, or any proposed modifications of those proposals, and has not been withdrawn.
F111A
Before making an application to the Secretary of State under this section the Director shall arrange for such research as he considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected and consider the results.
2
An application made by the Director to the Secretary of State complies with this subsection if it—
a
sets out F12the Authority’s proposals for the making of regulations under section 38 above;
b
specifies the water undertaker or undertakers in relation to which it is proposed F13the regulations should apply
F14bb
is accompanied by a written summary of the results of the research carried out in accordance with subsection (1A) above; ; and
c
summarises the Director’s reasons for his proposals.
3
The Secretary of State shall not make any regulations F15on an application by the Authority under this section except where—
a
the only provisions of the regulations are F16those which in the opinion of the Secretary of State give effect to the proposals set out in the Authority’s application or to those proposals with such modifications as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; and
b
each of the modifications (if any) of the Director’s proposals to which effect is given by the regulations is a modification the proposal to make which has been notified—
i
to the Director;F17. . .
ii
to any water undertaker appearing to the Secretary of State to be likely to be affected by the modifications F18and
iii
to any person or body on whom a copy of the Authority’s application was served under subsection (1)(b) above.
F194
Where no such application as is mentioned in subsection (1) above has been made, the Secretary of State may make regulations under section 38 above only if he considers—
a
that the regulations will contribute towards the attainment of policies relating to public health or the environment; or
b
(if he does not consider that they will so contribute) that there are exceptional reasons why it is otherwise in the public interest that the regulations should be made.
5
Before making regulations under section 38 above by virtue of subsection (4) above, the Secretary of State shall—
a
give notice of his proposals;
b
consider the results of the research carried out in accordance with subsection (7) below; and
c
consider every representation or objection with respect to the proposals which has been duly made and not withdrawn.
6
A notice under subsection (5)(a) above must—
a
summarise the Secretary of State’s reasons for his proposals;
b
specify the water undertaker or undertakers in relation to which it is proposed the regulations should apply; and
c
specify the period within which objections or representations with respect to the proposals may be made.
7
Before giving notice under subsection (5)(a) above the Secretary of State shall arrange for such research as he considers appropriate with a view to discovering the views of a representative sample of persons likely to be affected.
8
A notice under subsection (5)(a) above shall be given by serving a copy on—
a
the Authority;
b
the Council;
c
every water undertaker to which the regulations will apply;
d
persons or bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to be representative of persons likely to be affected by the regulations; and
e
such other persons or bodies as the Secretary of State may consider appropriate.
39AF20Information to be given to customers about overall performance.
1
Each water undertaker shall, in such form and manner and with such frequency as the Director may direct, take steps to inform its customers of—
a
the standards of overall performance established under section 38(1)(b) above which are applicable to that undertaker; and
b
that undertaker’s level of performance as respects each of those standards.
2
In giving any such direction, the Director shall not specify a frequency of less than once in every period of twelve months.
3
The duty of a water undertaker to comply with this section shall be enforceable by the Director under section 18 above.
C639BF23Drought plans: preparation and review
1
It shall be the duty of each water undertaker to prepare and maintain a drought plan.
2
A drought plan is a plan for how the water undertaker will continue, during a period of drought, to discharge its duties to supply adequate quantities of wholesome water, with as little recourse as reasonably possible to drought orders or drought permits under Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Water Resources Act 1991.
3
The duties referred to in subsection (2) above include in particular those imposed under or by virtue of—
a
section 37 above;
b
sections 67 to 69 below.
4
A drought plan shall address, in particular, the following matters—
a
what measures the water undertaker might need to take to restrain the demand for water within its area;
b
what measures the water undertaker might need to take to obtain extra water from other sources (also taking into account for that purpose the introduction of water into the undertaker’s supply system by or on behalf of licensed water suppliers);
c
how the water undertaker will monitor the effects of the drought and of the measures taken under the drought plan;
d
such other matters as the Secretary of State may specify in directions.
5
Section 37B above (water resources management plans: publication and representations), including any power in that section to make regulations or give directions, applies in relation to drought plans (including revised plans) as it applies in relation to water resources management plans.
6
Each water undertaker shall review (or further review) its drought plan and prepare a revised plan in each of the following cases—
a
if there is a material change of circumstances;
b
if directed to do so by the Secretary of State;
c
in any event, not later than the end of the period of three years beginning with the date when the plan (or revised plan) was last published in accordance with section 37B(8)(a) above as applied by subsection (5) above,
and shall follow the procedure in section 37B above as applied by subsection (5) above (whether or not the revised plan prepared by the undertaker includes any proposed alterations to the previous plan).
7
Before preparing its drought plan (including a revised plan), the water undertaker shall consult—
a
the Environment Agency;
b
the Authority;
c
the Secretary of State; and
d
any licensed water supplier which supplies water to premises in the undertaker’s area via the undertaker’s supply system.
8
The Secretary of State may give directions specifying the form which a drought plan must take.
9
Directions given under this section (including directions given under section 37B above as applied by subsection (5) above) may be—
a
general directions applying to all water undertakers; or
b
directions applying only to one or more water undertakers specified in the directions,
and shall be given by an instrument in writing.
10
It shall be the duty of each water undertaker to whom directions apply to comply with the directions.
11
The Secretary of State shall consult the Environment Agency before giving a direction under subsection (6)(b) above.
12
The duty of a water undertaker under this section shall be enforceable by the Secretary of State under section 18 above.
C739CDrought plans: provision of information
1
It shall be the duty of each licensed water supplier to provide the water undertaker with such information as the water undertaker may reasonably request for the purposes of preparing or revising its drought plan.
2
In the event of any dispute between a water undertaker and a licensed water supplier as to the reasonableness of the water undertaker’s request under subsection (1) above, either party may refer the matter for determination by the Secretary of State, and any such determination shall be final.
3
For the purposes of paragraph (b) of section 37B(1) above as applied by section 39B(5) above, the water undertaker shall identify in its statement under that paragraph any information—
a
provided by a licensed water supplier pursuant to subsection (1) above; and
b
contained in the water undertaker’s draft drought plan,
which the licensed water supplier has (at the time of providing it to the water undertaker) specifically identified as being, in the licensed water supplier’s opinion, commercially confidential.
4
The water undertaker shall not use any unpublished information save for the purpose of facilitating the performance by it of any of the duties imposed on it by or under this Act, any of the other consolidation Acts or the Water Act 1989.
5
In subsection (4) above—
a
“unpublished information” means confidential information which—
i
is provided to the water undertaker by a licensed water supplier under this section;
ii
relates to the affairs of any individual or to any particular business; and
iii
by virtue of section 37B above as applied by section 39B(5) above, is not published;
b
“the other consolidation Acts” has the same meaning as in section 206 below.
6
The duties of a licensed water supplier and a water undertaker under this section shall be enforceable by the Secretary of State under section 18 above.
Part III: definition of "consumer" applied (01.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 176(7), 225(2).