- Enforced by
- Environment Agency, Ofwat, DWI, DEFRA
- Status
- Amended (in force with amendments)
- Penalty ceiling
- Prosecution 1 of 8 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 7 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Statutory Undertaker3
Any Person1
Plus 4 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.
Statutory Undertaker — also bound by 179 other Acts
The Cory Decarbonisation Project Order 2025
120 duties
Water Industry Act 1991
53 duties
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Human Medicines Regulations 2012
184 duties
Merchant Shipping Act 1995
144 duties
Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016
104 duties
Communications Act 2003
92 duties
Road Traffic Act 1988
92 duties
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.
Part 1
Water industry
6 of 56 sections shown
s.014
Exceptions to duty and undertakings in lieu of merger references (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- CMA must consult Ofwat before clearing water mergers or accepting undertakingsStatutory regulator
s.016
Charges schemes (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Water companies must comply with Ofwat charges scheme rules and directionsStatutory Undertaker
s.023
General duty as regards undue preference in the provision of services (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofwat and Secretary of State must prevent undue preference or discriminationStatutory regulator
s.031
Interim duty: water supply (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Water undertaker must continue water supply when a licensee stops supplyingStatutory Undertaker
s.032
Interim duty: sewerage services (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Continue providing sewerage services if a licensee stopsStatutory Undertaker
s.055
Modification of appointment and licence conditions (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Ofwat must consult before changing water company or licence conditionsStatutory regulator
50 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 2
Water resources
1 of 4 sections shown
s.057
Report on water abstraction reform (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must report on water abstraction reformCrown / Minister / Government department
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 3
Environmental regulation
0 of 3 sections shown3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 4
Flood insurance
0 of 21 sections shown21 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 5
Miscellaneous
0 of 5 sections shown5 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 6
General and final
0 of 6 sections shown6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules
Schedules
1 of 291 shown
s.sch008
(1) The regulations may provide for any such offence as...
Prosecution
- Abstract or impound water in breach of permit or orderAny Person
Unlimited fine
290 other schedules
s.sch002
For sections 66A to 66C of the Water Industry Act...
s.sch002
After section 66C (substituted by paragraph 1) there is inserted—...
s.sch002
For section 66D of the Water Industry Act 1991 (determinations...
s.sch002
After section 66D of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as...
s.sch002
For section 66E of that Act there is substituted— Rules...
s.sch002
Section 66F (section 66D: supplementary) is repealed.
s.sch002
(1) Section 66G (designation of strategic supply) is amended as...
s.sch002
(1) Section 66H (designation of collective strategic supply) is amended...
s.sch002
(1) Section 66I (prohibition on unauthorised use of supply system)...
s.sch004
After Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Water Industry...
s.sch005
The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.
s.sch005
Section 17D (the threshold requirement) is repealed (if not previously...
s.sch005
In section 17DA (guidance) (inserted by Schedule 7), paragraph (a)...
s.sch005
In section 17E (determinations by the Authority) (as amended by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17FA (arrangements with the Water Industry Commission for...
s.sch005
In section 17G (water supply licence conditions) (as amended by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17H (standard conditions of water supply licences) (as...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17HA (standard conditions of sewerage licences) (inserted by...
s.sch005
In section 17I (modifications of water supply licences by agreement)...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17J (modification of standard conditions of water supply...
s.sch005
In section 17K (water supply licences: modification references to Competition...
s.sch005
In section 2 (general duties with respect to water industry)...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17N (water supply licences: reports on modification references)...
s.sch005
In section 17O (modification of licences following report) (as amended...
s.sch005
In section 17P (water supply licences: Commission's power of veto...
s.sch005
In section 23 (meaning and effect of special administration order)...
s.sch005
In section 24 (special administration orders made on special petitions)...
s.sch005
In section 27C (the interests of consumers) (as amended by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 38ZA (standards of performance in connection with the...
s.sch005
In section 52 (the domestic supply duty) (as amended by...
s.sch005
In section 55 (supplies for non-domestic purposes) (as amended by...
s.sch005
In section 63AC(4) (as substituted by section 31), the words...
s.sch005
In section 2B (strategic priorities and objectives: Wales) (as inserted...
s.sch005
(1) Section 66A (use of water undertaker's supply system) (inserted...
s.sch005
(1) Section 66AA (water supply from water undertaker) (inserted by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 66B (introduction of water into water undertaker's supply...
s.sch005
(1) Section 66C (introduction of water provided by secondary undertaker)...
s.sch005
In section 66E (rules about charges) (inserted by Schedule 2),...
s.sch005
In section 66EA (rules about charges: provision about reduction in...
s.sch005
In section 66G (designation of strategic supply) (as amended by...
s.sch005
In section 66H (designation of collective strategic supply) (as amended...
s.sch005
(1) Section 68 (duties of water undertakers and licensed water...
s.sch005
(1) Section 95ZA (standards of performance in connection with provision...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17A (water supply licences) (as substituted by section...
s.sch005
In section 96ZA (procedure for regulations under section 95ZA) (inserted...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117G (codes under section 117F: procedure) (inserted by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117K (rules under section 117I: procedure) (inserted by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117L (rules under section 117I: minor or urgent...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117M (rules under section 117I: guidance) (inserted by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117N (designation of strategic sewerage provision) (inserted by...
s.sch005
(1) Section 117O (designation of collective strategic sewerage provision) (inserted...
s.sch005
In section 117P (prohibition on unauthorised use of sewerage system)...
s.sch005
In section 117Q (prohibition on unauthorised removal of matter from...
s.sch005
In section 117S (section 117R: supplementary) (inserted by Schedule 4),...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17AA (water supply licences: restrictions on grants) (as...
s.sch005
In section 158 (powers to lay pipes in streets), in...
s.sch005
In section 195(3AA) (the Authority's register: consultation as regards water...
s.sch005
In section 207D (exercise of adjudication functions by other persons)...
s.sch005
In section 213 (powers to make regulations), subsection (1ZA) (inserted...
s.sch005
(1) Schedule 2A (water supply licences: authorisations) (inserted by Schedule...
s.sch005
In section 17B (guidance and interpretation) (as amended by section...
s.sch005
(1) Section 17BA (sewerage licences) (inserted by section 4) is...
s.sch005
In section 17BB (sewerage licences: restrictions on grants) (inserted by...
s.sch005
In section 17C (meaning of household premises) (as amended by...
s.sch007
(1) Section 174 of the Water Act 1989 (general restrictions...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17B (provision supplementary to section 17A) is amended...
s.sch007
In section 148 (restriction on charging for metering works), in...
s.sch007
In section 150 (fixing maximum charges for services provided with...
s.sch007
In section 152 (grants for national security purposes), in subsection...
s.sch007
(1) Section 154A (financial assistance to reduce charges of relevant...
s.sch007
In section 158 (powers to lay pipes in streets), in...
s.sch007
(1) Section 162 (works in connection with metering) is amended...
s.sch007
In section 163 (power to fit stopcocks), in subsection (1),...
s.sch007
In section 164 (agreements for works with respect to water...
s.sch007
(1) Section 174 (offences of interference with works etc) is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 175 (offence of tampering with meter) is amended...
s.sch007
In section 17C (meaning of “household premises”), in subsection (1),...
s.sch007
In section 179 (vesting of works in undertaker), in subsection...
s.sch007
(1) Section 195 (the Authority's register) is amended as follows....
s.sch007
(1) Section 195A (reasons for decisions) is amended as follows....
s.sch007
(1) Section 201 (publication of certain information and advice) is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 202 (duties of undertakers to furnish the Secretary...
s.sch007
In section 205 (exchange of metering information between undertakers), in...
s.sch007
(1) Section 206 (restriction on disclosure of information) is amended...
s.sch007
(1) Section 208 (directions in the interests of national security)...
s.sch007
In section 211 (limitation on right to prosecute in respect...
s.sch007
(1) Section 213 (powers to make regulations) is amended as...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17D (the threshold requirement) is amended as follows....
s.sch007
(1) Section 219 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.
s.sch007
In Schedule 1A (the Water Services Regulation Authority), in paragraph...
s.sch007
(1) Schedule 2 (transitional provision on termination of appointments) is...
s.sch007
In Schedule 8 (pre-1989 Act transitional authority for trade effluent...
s.sch007
The Water Resources Act 1991 is amended as follows.
s.sch007
(1) Section 203 (exchange of information with respect to pollution...
s.sch007
(1) Section 204 (restriction on disclosure of information) is amended...
s.sch007
In Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer...
s.sch007
The Enterprise Act 2002 is amended as follows.
s.sch007
(1) Section 168 (regulated markets) is amended as follows.
s.sch007
After section 17D there is inserted— Guidance The Authority must publish guidance issued from time to time...
s.sch007
In section 249 (special administration regime), in subsection (1)(aa)—
s.sch007
The Water Act 2003 is amended as follows.
s.sch007
Section 40 (which inserted the section 2A of the Water...
s.sch007
(1) Section 52 (co-operation between water regulators) is amended as...
s.sch007
(1) Section 58 (fluoridation of water supplies) is amended as...
s.sch007
In Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006...
s.sch007
The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 is amended...
s.sch007
In section 4 (meaning of “designated consumers”), in subsection (3)—...
s.sch007
(1) Section 25 (enforcement by regulator of section 24 notice)...
s.sch007
In section 33 (supplementary provision about transfer and abolition orders),...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17E (determinations by the Authority) is amended as...
s.sch007
In section 41 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1)—...
s.sch007
(1) Section 42 (interpretation of Part 2) is amended as...
s.sch007
In section 52 (enforcement of requirements imposed under Part 2),...
s.sch007
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is amended as...
s.sch007
In section 6 (other Part 1 definitions), in subsection (11)...
s.sch007
In section 35 (provision of infrastructure), in subsection (2), in...
s.sch007
In section 42 (agreements on new drainage systems)—
s.sch007
In section 44 (social tariffs in charges schemes), in subsection...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17F (procedure for granting water supply licences) is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17G (water supply licence conditions) is amended as...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17H (standard conditions of water supply licences) is...
s.sch007
After section 17H there is inserted— Standard conditions of sewerage...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17I (modification of licences by agreement) is amended...
s.sch007
The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.
s.sch007
(1) Section 17J (general modification of standard conditions) is amended...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17K (references to competition authority in relation to...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17N (reports on modification references) is amended as...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17O (modification of licences following report) is amended...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17P (competition authority's power of veto following report)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 17R (modification of licences by order under other...
s.sch007
(1) Section 18 (orders for securing compliance with certain provisions)...
s.sch007
In section 19 (exceptions to the duty to enforce), for...
s.sch007
In section 20 (procedure for enforcement orders), for “company to...
s.sch007
(1) Section 21 (validity of enforcement orders) is amended as...
s.sch007
(1) Section 2 (general duties with respect to water industry)...
s.sch007
In section 22 (effect of enforcement order), in subsection (3)—...
s.sch007
(1) Section 22A (penalties) is amended as follows.
s.sch007
(1) Section 22C (time limits on the imposition of financial...
s.sch007
(1) Section 22E (appeals) is amended as follows.
s.sch007
In section 22F (recovery of penalties), for “company” there is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 23 (meaning and effect of special administration orders)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 24 (special administration orders made on special petitions)...
s.sch007
In section 25 (power to make special administration order on...
s.sch007
In section 26 (restrictions on voluntary winding up and insolvency...
s.sch007
(1) Section 27 (general duty of Authority to keep matters...
s.sch007
In section 2A (strategic priorities and objectives: England) (inserted by...
s.sch007
In section 27A (establishment of the Council and committees), in...
s.sch007
(1) Section 27C (the interests of consumers) is amended as...
s.sch007
In section 27E (provision of advice and information to public...
s.sch007
(1) Section 27H (provision of information to the Council) is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 27K (sections 27H to 27J: supplementary) is amended...
s.sch007
(1) Section 29 (consumer complaints) is amended as follows.
s.sch007
In the heading to Chapter 1 of Part 3 (general...
s.sch007
In section 37A (water resources management plans: preparation and review)—...
s.sch007
In section 37C (water resources management plans: provision of information)—...
s.sch007
In section 37D (water resources management plans: supplementary), in subsection...
s.sch007
In section 2B (strategic priorities and objectives: Wales) (inserted by...
s.sch007
In section 38B (publication of statistical information about complaints)—
s.sch007
(1) Section 39A (information to be given to customers about...
s.sch007
In section 39B (drought plans: preparation and review)—
s.sch007
In section 39C (drought plans: provision of information)—
s.sch007
In section 42 (financial conditions for compliance with the duty...
s.sch007
Sections 43 and 43A (calculations for the purpose of section...
s.sch007
In section 47 (conditions of connection with water main), in...
s.sch007
Section 48 (interest on sums provided by way of security)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 52 (domestic supply duty) is amended as follows....
s.sch007
In section 55 (supplies for non-domestic purposes), in subsection (1A)(b),...
s.sch007
In section 6 (appointment of relevant undertakers), in subsection (5A),...
s.sch007
(1) Section 61 (disconnections for non-payment of charges) is amended...
s.sch007
In section 63 (general duties of undertakers with respect to...
s.sch007
In the italic heading preceding section 63AA, for “licensed water...
s.sch007
(1) Section 63AA (supply by licensed water supplier: domestic supply...
s.sch007
(1) Section 63AB (supply by licensed water supplier: non-domestic supply)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 63AC (interim duty of water undertaker: domestic and...
s.sch007
In the italic heading preceding section 68, for “licensed water...
s.sch007
(1) Section 68 (duties with respect to water quality) is...
s.sch007
(1) Section 69 (regulations for preserving water quality) is amended...
s.sch007
In section 72 (contamination of water sources), in subsection (5)(c)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 10 (transitional provision with respect to replacement appointments)...
s.sch007
In section 73 (offences of contaminating, wasting and misusing water...
s.sch007
(1) Section 74 (regulations for preventing contamination, waste etc and...
s.sch007
(1) Section 75 (power to prevent damage and to take...
s.sch007
In section 76 (temporary bans on use)—
s.sch007
(1) Section 78 (local authority functions in relation to undertakers'...
s.sch007
(1) Section 86 (assessors for the enforcement of water quality)...
s.sch007
In section 87 (fluoridation of water supplies at request of...
s.sch007
In section 87C (fluoridation arrangements: compliance), in subsection (4)(b), for...
s.sch007
In section 90 (indemnities in respect of fluoridation), in subsection...
s.sch007
In section 93 (interpretation of Part 3), in subsection (1),...
s.sch007
In section 12 (determinations under conditions of appointment)—
s.sch007
(1) In section 93A (duty to promote the efficient use...
s.sch007
(1) Section 93B (power of Authority to impose requirements on...
s.sch007
(1) Section 93C (publicity of requirements imposed under section 93B)...
s.sch007
(1) Section 93D (information as to compliance with requirements under...
s.sch007
In the heading to Chapter 1 of Part 4 (general...
s.sch007
In section 95B (publication of statistical information about complaints)—
s.sch007
(1) Section 96A (information to be given to customers about...
s.sch007
In section 99 (financial conditions for compliance with the duty...
s.sch007
Sections 100 and 100A (calculations for the purposes of section...
s.sch007
In section 101B (power to provide lateral drain following provision...
s.sch007
For the heading of Chapter 1A of Part 2 there...
s.sch007
In section 102 (adoption of sewers and disposal works), in...
s.sch007
In section 104 (agreements to adopt sewers, etc), subsection (9)...
s.sch007
In section 105 (appeals with respect to adoption)—
s.sch007
In section 105C (adoption schemes: supplementary), in subsection (2), after...
s.sch007
In section 106B (requirement to enter into agreement before connection...
s.sch007
In section 107 (right of sewerage undertaker to undertake the...
s.sch007
In section 113 (power to alter drainage system of premises...
s.sch007
In section 117 (interpretation of Chapter 2), in subsection (5)(a),...
s.sch007
(1) Section 146 (connection charges etc) is amended as follows....
s.sch007
In section 147 (charging for use of emergency water), in...
s.sch008
In this Schedule— “fish regulations” means regulations containing provision which—...
s.sch008
(1) Regulating the transfer or surrender of permits.
s.sch008
Authorising the Minister to make schemes for the charging by...
s.sch008
Authorising, or authorising the Minister to make schemes for, the...
s.sch008
(1) Requiring persons who propose to carry out activities of...
s.sch008
Requiring persons to apply for a permit under the regulations...
s.sch008
(1) Authorising a regulator, where a person is carrying on...
s.sch008
Imposing requirements, or authorising regulators to impose requirements, on persons...
s.sch008
Enabling persons of any specified description (whether or not they...
s.sch008
Securing— (a) that publicity is given to specified matters;
s.sch008
Requiring or authorising regulators to carry out consultation in connection...
s.sch008
In this Schedule— “functions” includes powers and duties; “regulated activity”...
s.sch008
(1) Conferring on regulators functions with respect to the monitoring...
s.sch008
Authorising regulators to serve on holders of permits—
s.sch008
Authorising regulators to suspend the operation of permits so far...
s.sch008
Establishing a procedure for the resolution of disputes in relation...
s.sch008
Providing for the enforcement of notices served by regulators under...
s.sch008
Where action is required to be taken by a person...
s.sch008
Creating offences and dealing with matters relating to such offences,...
s.sch008
Enabling, where a person has been convicted of an offence...
s.sch008
Where a person causes damage to any structure constructed, altered...
s.sch008
Conferring rights of appeal in respect of decisions made, notices...
s.sch008
(1) Establishing standards, objectives or requirements in relation to—
s.sch008
(1) Making provision which, subject to any modifications that the...
s.sch008
Making provision about the application of the regulations to the...
s.sch008
(1) The regulations may, if they are water regulations, authorise...
s.sch008
The regulations may make provision for anything which, by virtue...
s.sch008
The regulations may make provision authorising regulators to arrange for...
s.sch008
In connection with the determination of conditions as mentioned in...
s.sch008
The regulations may— (a) require any such scheme as is...
s.sch008
(1) To the extent that the regulations bind the Crown...
s.sch008
(1) Determining the authorities (whether public or local or the...
s.sch008
Enabling the Minister to give directions which regulators are to...
s.sch008
Prohibiting persons from carrying on any activities of any specified...
s.sch008
Specifying restrictions or other requirements in connection with the grant...
s.sch008
(1) Prescribing the contents of permits. (2) Authorising permits to...
s.sch008
(1) Requiring permits or the conditions to which permits are...
s.sch009
The Land Drainage Act 1991 is amended as follows.
s.sch009
(1) Section 2 (review of boundaries of internal drainage districts)...
s.sch009
(1) Section 3 (schemes for reorganisation of internal drainage districts...
s.sch009
(1) Section 38 (orders subdividing a district for the purposes...
s.sch009
(1) Section 39 (petition for subdivision of internal drainage district)...
s.sch009
(1) Section 48 (procedure for making of rate) is amended...
s.sch009
(1) Section 58 (allocation of appropriate agency revenue for its...
s.sch009
(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 (byelaws: publicity for application...
s.sch010
In the Schedule to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings)...
s.sch010
In section 143(1) (power of Environment Agency and Natural Resources...
s.sch010
(1) Section 145 (interpretation of Chapter 2 of Part 6)...
s.sch010
(1) Section 166 (power of Environment Agency and Natural Resources...
s.sch010
In section 221(1) (interpretation of terms in the Act), in...
s.sch010
In Schedule 15 (supplemental provisions with respect to drainage charges),...
s.sch010
In Schedule 26 (procedure relating to bye-laws made by the...
s.sch010
In section 6 of the Environment Act 1995 (general provisions...
s.sch010
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
s.sch010
In Schedule 3 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act...
s.sch010
In Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer...
s.sch010
In section 25 of the Local Government Act 1974 (authorities...
s.sch010
In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
s.sch010
In section 1 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (internal...
s.sch010
The Water Resources Act 1991 is amended as follows.
s.sch010
(1) Section 134 (raising of general drainage charges) is amended...
s.sch010
(1) Section 135 (amount, assessment etc of general drainage charge)...
s.sch010
(1) Section 137 (special drainage charges in the interests of...
s.sch010
(1) Section 138 (levying and amount of special drainage charge)...
s.sch011
(1) The provision that may be made by an order...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may provide for new section...
s.sch011
(1) In this Schedule— “new restricted retail authorisation” means a...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
s.sch011
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision for old...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may make provision for the...
s.sch011
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision as regards...
s.sch011
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision as regards...
s.sch011
(1) A section 91 order may include provision for securing...
s.sch012
In relation to the sections and Schedules listed in the...
s.sch012
A statutory instrument containing an order to be made by...
s.sch012
In the table in paragraph 1— (a) “wholly or mainly...
s.sch012
In this Schedule— (a) references to water undertakers' supply systems...
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
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Immediate response guide for businesses affected by flooding. Covers safety priorities, documenting damage, insurance claims, recovery grants, professional cleanup, and building back …
Assess flood risk for your business premises
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Flood and water management for your business
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Drainage and utilities infrastructure compliance
Complete learning path for property developers and contractors working on drainage and utilities infrastructure. Covers Approved Document H drainage design, sewer adoption …
3 more guides that reference this instrument
Connected legislation
Instruments made under this Act. They carry the detail the Act delegates.
The Water Act 2014 (Commencement No. 10) Order 2017
SI 2017/1288
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.