- Enforced by
- UREGNI
- Status
- Amended (in force with amendments)
- Penalty ceiling
- Imprisonment 24 of 157 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 23 carry different penalties and 110 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Plus 37 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Statutory Undertaker — also bound by 179 other Acts
Trader — also bound by 825 other Acts
Occupier — also bound by 235 other Acts
Applicant — also bound by 307 other Acts
Employee — also bound by 189 other Acts
What it requires
Sections creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.
INTRODUCTORY
0 of 2 sections shown2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AND GENERAL DUTIES
4 of 10 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must publish a forward work programme and consult on itStatutory regulator
- Protect the environment and promote public access to water and landStatutory Undertaker
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Water regulators must co-operate and share informationStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government departments must consider costs and impact on water companiesCrown / Minister / Government department
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
APPOINTMENT AND REGULATION OF UNDERTAKERS
23 of 52 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Department must ensure continuous water and sewerage service coverageCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must protect existing water companies' interests during handoversStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA must determine price control disputes and consider business costsTribunal / Court
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must notify water companies of CMA modification referencesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA must report on water service modification referencesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA may veto and replace proposed water appointment modificationsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must exercise competition and anti-trust powers in the water sectorStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Enforcement authority must issue orders to secure compliance by water companiesStatutory regulator
- Ensure compliance with water and sewerage enforcement ordersTrader
- Breach of water or sewerage service regulationsAny Person
- Time limits on financial penaltiesAny Person
- Failure to pay regulatory penalties for water and sewerage servicesAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Do not start insolvency or winding up proceedings without noticeTrader
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- General Consumer Council must publish an annual forward work programmeStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators and Consumer Council must cooperate and share informationStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Council must monitor water consumer matters and review public noticesStatutory regulator
- Supply requested information to the Consumer CouncilTrader
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Northern Ireland Water Council must provide information to regulatorsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Consumer Council must investigate complaints against water companiesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must consult the Consumer Council on its regulatory functionsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Consumer Council must publish water complaint statisticsStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Authority (UREGNI) must monitor water and sewerage activitiesStatutory regulator
- Report on director pay linked to performance standardsTrader
- Establish and publicise a formal customer complaints procedureStatutory Undertaker
29 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
WATER SUPPLY
39 of 74 sections shown- Maintain and develop efficient water supply and infrastructureStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to provide required performance information to the AuthorityAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Prepare and maintain a water resources management planStatutory Undertaker
- Submit and publish water resources management plansStatutory Undertaker
- Comply with written directions regarding water management plansStatutory Undertaker
- Prepare and maintain a drought planStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertakers must provide water mains upon valid requestStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertakers must connect premises to water mains for domestic purposesStatutory Undertaker
- Water companies must carry out and install stopcocks for domestic connectionsStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertaker must require meter installation as a condition of connectionStatutory Undertaker
- Pay interest on security deposits for water connectionsStatutory Undertaker
- Do not connect new water pipes to the supply system until they are adoptedStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertakers must provide and maintain domestic water suppliesStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertakers may set conditions for domestic water supplyStatutory Undertaker
- Water companies are legally liable for failing to supply domestic waterStatutory Undertaker
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Water undertakers must provide water for non-domestic purposes upon requestStatutory regulator
- Fail to meet fire‑hydrant dutiesAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Water undertakers must provide water for sewer cleansing and road wateringStatutory Undertaker
- Water undertaker must disconnect water supply at customer requestStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to give notice after water disconnectionAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Use limiting device to enforce water bill paymentAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Maintain constant water supply and pressureStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to provide constant water pressure and supplyAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Ensure water supply is wholesome and quality does not deteriorateStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to comply with water quality regulationsAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Supply water unfit for human consumptionAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Cause waste of water from wells or over‑abstract waterAny Person
- Cause waste or excessive abstraction of underground waterAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Contaminate water sourcesAny Person
- Pollute water used for drinking or food productionAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Contaminate, waste or misuse water suppliesOccupier
Fine up to £1,000
- Contravene water fitting regulationsAny Person
- Fail to comply with water fitting regulationsAny Person
Fine up to £5,000
- Fail to serve notice after disconnecting water supplyAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Use hosepipe in breach of temporary banAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DOE must monitor private water supplies and notify health authorities of risksCrown / Minister / Government department
- Fail to provide information about private water suppliesAny Person
- Fail to provide information requested by DOEAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Fail to comply with water quality inspector dutyAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Comply with fluoridation requests from the DHSSPSStatutory Undertaker
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DHSSPS and water undertakers must maintain fluoride target levelsCrown / Minister / Government department
- Use only approved chemicals for water fluoridationStatutory Undertaker
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DHSSPS must monitor and report on water fluoridation health effectsCrown / Minister / Government department
- Review and update your water resources management planStatutory Undertaker
35 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
USE OF WATER
3 of 12 sections shown- Breach of drought order (unauthorised water use or gauge failure)Any Person
Unlimited fine
- Water undertakers must promote efficient water use to customersStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to provide required performance informationAny Person
Unlimited fine
9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
SEWERAGE SERVICES
22 of 52 sections shown- Sewerage undertakers must provide and maintain effective public drainageStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to provide performance information to regulatorAny Person
- Fail to supply required performance informationAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Water sewerage undertaker must provide sewers and lateral drains upon requestStatutory Undertaker
- Sewerage undertakers must provide public sewers in specific environmental casesStatutory Undertaker
- Notify and obtain consent before adopting cross-boundary sewerage infrastructureStatutory Undertaker
- Interfere with sewerage undertaker's right to make sewer connectionsAny Person
- Make sewer connection without undertaker's noticeAny Person
Fine up to £2,500
- Notify and assist the utility supervisor during sewerage connection worksAny Person
- Cause unlawful connection to a public sewerAny Person
Fine up to £2,500
- Discharge prohibited substances into public sewersAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Construct drainage systems according to the undertaker's technical requirementsAny Person
- Discharge trade effluent without consentOccupier
Unlimited fine
- Fail to give required notice of consent transfer or vestingAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Fail to refer special effluent application to DOEAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Breach conditions of trade effluent discharge consentOccupier
- Breach of sewerage consent conditionOccupier
Unlimited fine
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Authority must refer special effluent appeals to the DOEStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Sewerage undertakers must pay compensation for early consent changesStatutory regulator
- Fail to refer special category effluent agreement to DOEAny Person
Unlimited fine
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DOE must consult and notify affected parties during reviews or referencesCrown / Minister / Government department
- Fail to comply with a sewerage notice under Article 190Any Person
Unlimited fine
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- DOE must pay compensation for public health or environmental restrictionsCrown / Minister / Government department
- Fail to provide required effluent information or give false detailsAny Person
- Enter into an adoption agreement before connecting to a public sewerAny Person
amended 7 times
30 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
5 of 15 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must approve water and sewerage charges schemesStatutory regulator
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Department must set rules for water and sewerage charging schemesCrown / Minister / Government department
- Do not exceed maximum charges for reselling water or sewerage servicesStatutory Undertaker
- Notify customers before starting legal proceedings for unpaid billsStatutory Undertaker
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- NI Department may provide financial support during special administrationCrown / Minister / Government department
10 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
UNDERTAKERS' POWERS AND WORKS
11 of 38 sections shown- Obtain consent before disposing of protected landTrader
- Fail to control discharge water quality during worksAny Person
- Pollute water discharge during worksAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Discharge water without required consentAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Impersonate someone authorised to enter premisesAny Person
Fine up to £2,500
- Interfere with water or sewerage infrastructureAny Person
Fine up to £2,500
- Tamper with a water meterAny Person
- Tamper with water or sewer meterAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Intentionally obstruct water or sewerage worksAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Minimise damage and compensate for losses caused by water worksStatutory Undertaker
- Provide information and assistance to UREGNI during complaint investigationsStatutory Undertaker
- Submit a code of practice for work on private landStatutory Undertaker
- Water companies must move pipes to allow land improvementsStatutory Undertaker
27 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
INFORMATION
12 of 15 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- UREGNI must maintain a public register of water and sewerage appointmentsStatutory regulator
- Sewerage undertakers must maintain a public register of trade effluent recordsStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to keep required works‑discharge registerAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Maintain and provide public access to maps of waterworksStatutory Undertaker
- Maintain and provide public access to sewer mapsStatutory Undertaker
- Provide information to the Department upon requestStatutory Undertaker
- Fail to comply with information notice or destroy required documentsAny Person
- Fail to provide information or destroy required documentsAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Fail to provide information about trade effluent dischargesOccupier
- Fail to provide information to sewerage undertakers on trade effluentOccupier
Fine up to £1,000
- Share meter readings with other utility providers upon requestStatutory Undertaker
- Unauthorised disclosure of confidential business informationAny Person
- Unlawfully disclose confidential business informationAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Disclose personal information without lawful authorityAny Person
- Unauthorised disclosure of personal water service informationEmployee
Unlimited fine
- Provide false information in water/sewerage applicationsAny Person
Unlimited fine
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
REORGANISATION OF THE INDUSTRY
6 of 12 sections shownOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Northern Ireland Department must direct share issues in the successor companyCrown / Minister / Government department
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Department must obtain approval before selling water company sharesCrown / Minister / Government department
- Establish and manage a statutory reserve as directedTrader
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must present successor company financial documents to the AssemblyCrown / Minister / Government department
- Repay government guarantee payments and interestTrader
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- NI Department must obtain DFP consent for specific water service functionsCrown / Minister / Government department
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
AMENDMENTS TO THE WATER ORDER
3 of 12 sections shown- Pollute water or discharge effluent unlawfullyAny Person
- Pollute water or discharge without a permitAny Person
- Refuse access to water flow recordsAny Person
- Refuse to allow inspection of water flow recordsAny Person
Fine up to £200
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Crown bodies and public servants must comply with water legislationCrown / Minister / Government department
9 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL
5 of 19 sections shown- Comply with national security directions and maintain confidentialityStatutory Undertaker
- Comply with emergency directions regarding water or sewerage servicesStatutory Undertaker
- Water companies are liable for damage caused by escaping waterStatutory Undertaker
- Comply with written directions issued under the OrderAny Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Crown bodies must comply with water and sewerage regulationsCrown / Minister / Government department
14 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules
6 of 142 shown- Follow procedures when applying for water pressure or constancy ordersStatutory Undertaker
- Publish and serve notices when applying for a drought orderApplicant
- Follow notice and consultation procedures for compulsory works ordersStatutory Undertaker
- Break up street without consent from railway or navigation authorityAny Person
- Carry out street works without required consentAny Person
Fine up to £1,000
- Fail to provide information or assistance when requiredAny Person
Unlimited fine
- Do not obstruct water officials or disclose trade secretsAny Person
Fine up to £10,000
136 other schedules
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
Environmental compliance for manufacturers
A comprehensive introduction to environmental compliance for manufacturing businesses. Covers permits, air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and packaging obligations.
Starting a regulated business in Northern Ireland
A guided learning path for businesses in Northern Ireland that operate in regulated sectors. Covers the three key NI-specific regulators — HSENI, …
Water Framework Directive compliance for businesses
Complete compliance pathway for businesses whose activities may affect water body status — from understanding the WFD framework through identifying which licences, …
Understanding UREGNI: utility regulation in Northern Ireland
How utility regulation works in Northern Ireland, where UREGNI (the Utility Regulator) oversees electricity, gas, and water as a single combined regulator. …
3 more guides that reference this instrument
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.