http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56/section/182Water Industry Act 1991 An Act to consolidate enactments relating to the supply of water and the provision of sewerage services, with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission.1991-07-25texttext/xmlenStatute Law Database2026-08-03Expert Participation2026-07-24 Part VI UNDERTAKERS ’ POWERS AND WORKS CHAPTER III SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO UNDERTAKERS’ POWERS Damage <Abbreviation Expansion="et cetera" xml:lang="la">etc.</Abbreviation> caused by works Codes of practice with respect to work on private land.1821For the purposes of section 181 above it shall be the duty of every company holding an appointment under Chapter I of Part II of this Act as a relevant undertaker—aas soon as reasonably practicable after its appointment takes effect, to submit to the Secretary of State for his approval a code of practice with respect to its exercise of any powers conferred by or by virtue of section 159 or 161(2) above; andbif required to do so by the Secretary of State at any subsequent time, to submit proposed modifications of that code to the Secretary of State for his approval.2The Secretary of State, if he considers it appropriate to do so for the purpose of promoting what appear to him to be desirable practices with respect to the exercise, by any company holding an appointment under Chapter I of Part II of this Act as a relevant undertaker, of any powers conferred by or by virtue of section 159 or 161(2) above, may at any time by order made by statutory instrument, in relation to that company—aapprove any code of practice with respect to the exercise of those powers which has been submitted to him (whether or not under subsection (1) above) by that company for his approval;bapprove any modifications of such a code which have been so submitted; orcwithdraw his approval for any such code or modification.3A contravention of a code of practice as for the time being approved under this section in relation to a company shall not—aaffect the powers conferred on that company as a relevant undertaker by this Part;bof itself entitle any person to be paid any amount under subsection (4) of section 181 above; orcgive rise to any criminal or civil liability;but the Authority shall take into account whether there has been any such contravention in determining whether to give a direction under that subsection to that company and in determining the amount to which any such direction relates.4The Secretary of State shall not make an order under subsection (2) above unless he has first consulted all such persons as he considers it appropriate to consult.5The duties of a relevant undertaker under subsection (1) above shall be enforceable under section 18 above by the Secretary of State.Part VI: power to apply conferred (01.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 78(2)(b), 225(2)Part VI: saved (01.12.1991) by Statutory Water Companies Act 1991 (c. 58, SIF 130), ss. 1(4)(5), 17(2)S. 182 applied (with modifications) (28.6.2013) by The Water Industry (Specified Infrastructure Projects) (English Undertakers) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1582), reg. 1(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 13(5) (with reg. 1(1)(c))Words in Act substituted (1.4.2006) by virtue of Water Act 2003 (c. 37), ss. 36(2), 105(3); S.I. 2005/2714, art. 4(c)