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UK Act of Parliament
2014
United Kingdom
Water Act 2014
An Act to make provision about the water industry; about compensation for modification of licences to abstract water; about main river maps; about records of waterworks; for the regulation of the water environment; about the provision of flood insurance for household premises; about internal drainage boards; about Regional Flood and Coastal Committees; and for connected purposes.
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Relevant guidance
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Mentioned in related content
2 guidesWhat this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Schedules
Browse 291 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
For sections 66A to 66C of the Water Industry Act...
After section 66C (substituted by paragraph 1) there is inserted—...
For section 66D of the Water Industry Act 1991 (determinations...
After section 66D of the Water Industry Act 1991 (as...
For section 66E of that Act there is substituted— Rules...
Section 66F (section 66D: supplementary) is repealed.
(1) Section 66G (designation of strategic supply) is amended as...
(1) Section 66H (designation of collective strategic supply) is amended...
(1) Section 66I (prohibition on unauthorised use of supply system)...
After Chapter 2 of Part 4 of the Water Industry...
The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.
Section 17D (the threshold requirement) is repealed (if not previously...
In section 17DA (guidance) (inserted by Schedule 7), paragraph (a)...
In section 17E (determinations by the Authority) (as amended by...
(1) Section 17FA (arrangements with the Water Industry Commission for...
In section 17G (water supply licence conditions) (as amended by...
(1) Section 17H (standard conditions of water supply licences) (as...
(1) Section 17HA (standard conditions of sewerage licences) (inserted by...
In section 17I (modifications of water supply licences by agreement)...
(1) Section 17J (modification of standard conditions of water supply...
In section 17K (water supply licences: modification references to Competition...
In section 2 (general duties with respect to water industry)...
(1) Section 17N (water supply licences: reports on modification references)...
In section 17O (modification of licences following report) (as amended...
In section 17P (water supply licences: Commission's power of veto...
In section 23 (meaning and effect of special administration order)...
In section 24 (special administration orders made on special petitions)...
In section 27C (the interests of consumers) (as amended by...
(1) Section 38ZA (standards of performance in connection with the...
In section 52 (the domestic supply duty) (as amended by...
In section 55 (supplies for non-domestic purposes) (as amended by...
In section 63AC(4) (as substituted by section 31), the words...
In section 2B (strategic priorities and objectives: Wales) (as inserted...
(1) Section 66A (use of water undertaker's supply system) (inserted...
(1) Section 66AA (water supply from water undertaker) (inserted by...
(1) Section 66B (introduction of water into water undertaker's supply...
(1) Section 66C (introduction of water provided by secondary undertaker)...
In section 66E (rules about charges) (inserted by Schedule 2),...
In section 66EA (rules about charges: provision about reduction in...
In section 66G (designation of strategic supply) (as amended by...
In section 66H (designation of collective strategic supply) (as amended...
(1) Section 68 (duties of water undertakers and licensed water...
(1) Section 95ZA (standards of performance in connection with provision...
(1) Section 17A (water supply licences) (as substituted by section...
In section 96ZA (procedure for regulations under section 95ZA) (inserted...
(1) Section 117G (codes under section 117F: procedure) (inserted by...
(1) Section 117K (rules under section 117I: procedure) (inserted by...
(1) Section 117L (rules under section 117I: minor or urgent...
(1) Section 117M (rules under section 117I: guidance) (inserted by...
(1) Section 117N (designation of strategic sewerage provision) (inserted by...
(1) Section 117O (designation of collective strategic sewerage provision) (inserted...
In section 117P (prohibition on unauthorised use of sewerage system)...
In section 117Q (prohibition on unauthorised removal of matter from...
In section 117S (section 117R: supplementary) (inserted by Schedule 4),...
(1) Section 17AA (water supply licences: restrictions on grants) (as...
In section 158 (powers to lay pipes in streets), in...
In section 195(3AA) (the Authority's register: consultation as regards water...
In section 207D (exercise of adjudication functions by other persons)...
In section 213 (powers to make regulations), subsection (1ZA) (inserted...
(1) Schedule 2A (water supply licences: authorisations) (inserted by Schedule...
In section 17B (guidance and interpretation) (as amended by section...
(1) Section 17BA (sewerage licences) (inserted by section 4) is...
In section 17BB (sewerage licences: restrictions on grants) (inserted by...
In section 17C (meaning of household premises) (as amended by...
(1) Section 174 of the Water Act 1989 (general restrictions...
(1) Section 17B (provision supplementary to section 17A) is amended...
In section 148 (restriction on charging for metering works), in...
In section 150 (fixing maximum charges for services provided with...
In section 152 (grants for national security purposes), in subsection...
(1) Section 154A (financial assistance to reduce charges of relevant...
In section 158 (powers to lay pipes in streets), in...
(1) Section 162 (works in connection with metering) is amended...
In section 163 (power to fit stopcocks), in subsection (1),...
In section 164 (agreements for works with respect to water...
(1) Section 174 (offences of interference with works etc) is...
(1) Section 175 (offence of tampering with meter) is amended...
In section 17C (meaning of “household premises”), in subsection (1),...
In section 179 (vesting of works in undertaker), in subsection...
(1) Section 195 (the Authority's register) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 195A (reasons for decisions) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 201 (publication of certain information and advice) is...
(1) Section 202 (duties of undertakers to furnish the Secretary...
In section 205 (exchange of metering information between undertakers), in...
(1) Section 206 (restriction on disclosure of information) is amended...
(1) Section 208 (directions in the interests of national security)...
In section 211 (limitation on right to prosecute in respect...
(1) Section 213 (powers to make regulations) is amended as...
(1) Section 17D (the threshold requirement) is amended as follows....
(1) Section 219 (general interpretation) is amended as follows.
In Schedule 1A (the Water Services Regulation Authority), in paragraph...
(1) Schedule 2 (transitional provision on termination of appointments) is...
In Schedule 8 (pre-1989 Act transitional authority for trade effluent...
The Water Resources Act 1991 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 203 (exchange of information with respect to pollution...
(1) Section 204 (restriction on disclosure of information) is amended...
In Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer...
The Enterprise Act 2002 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 168 (regulated markets) is amended as follows.
After section 17D there is inserted— Guidance The Authority must publish guidance issued from time to time...
In section 249 (special administration regime), in subsection (1)(aa)—
The Water Act 2003 is amended as follows.
Section 40 (which inserted the section 2A of the Water...
(1) Section 52 (co-operation between water regulators) is amended as...
(1) Section 58 (fluoridation of water supplies) is amended as...
In Schedule 7 to the Government of Wales Act 2006...
The Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007 is amended...
In section 4 (meaning of “designated consumers”), in subsection (3)—...
(1) Section 25 (enforcement by regulator of section 24 notice)...
In section 33 (supplementary provision about transfer and abolition orders),...
(1) Section 17E (determinations by the Authority) is amended as...
In section 41 (interpretation of Part 1), in subsection (1)—...
(1) Section 42 (interpretation of Part 2) is amended as...
In section 52 (enforcement of requirements imposed under Part 2),...
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is amended as...
In section 6 (other Part 1 definitions), in subsection (11)...
In section 35 (provision of infrastructure), in subsection (2), in...
In section 42 (agreements on new drainage systems)—
In section 44 (social tariffs in charges schemes), in subsection...
(1) Section 17F (procedure for granting water supply licences) is...
(1) Section 17G (water supply licence conditions) is amended as...
(1) Section 17H (standard conditions of water supply licences) is...
After section 17H there is inserted— Standard conditions of sewerage...
(1) Section 17I (modification of licences by agreement) is amended...
The Water Industry Act 1991 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 17J (general modification of standard conditions) is amended...
(1) Section 17K (references to competition authority in relation to...
(1) Section 17N (reports on modification references) is amended as...
(1) Section 17O (modification of licences following report) is amended...
(1) Section 17P (competition authority's power of veto following report)...
(1) Section 17R (modification of licences by order under other...
(1) Section 18 (orders for securing compliance with certain provisions)...
In section 19 (exceptions to the duty to enforce), for...
In section 20 (procedure for enforcement orders), for “company to...
(1) Section 21 (validity of enforcement orders) is amended as...
(1) Section 2 (general duties with respect to water industry)...
In section 22 (effect of enforcement order), in subsection (3)—...
(1) Section 22A (penalties) is amended as follows.
(1) Section 22C (time limits on the imposition of financial...
(1) Section 22E (appeals) is amended as follows.
In section 22F (recovery of penalties), for “company” there is...
(1) Section 23 (meaning and effect of special administration orders)...
(1) Section 24 (special administration orders made on special petitions)...
In section 25 (power to make special administration order on...
In section 26 (restrictions on voluntary winding up and insolvency...
(1) Section 27 (general duty of Authority to keep matters...
In section 2A (strategic priorities and objectives: England) (inserted by...
In section 27A (establishment of the Council and committees), in...
(1) Section 27C (the interests of consumers) is amended as...
In section 27E (provision of advice and information to public...
(1) Section 27H (provision of information to the Council) is...
(1) Section 27K (sections 27H to 27J: supplementary) is amended...
(1) Section 29 (consumer complaints) is amended as follows.
In the heading to Chapter 1 of Part 3 (general...
In section 37A (water resources management plans: preparation and review)—...
In section 37C (water resources management plans: provision of information)—...
In section 37D (water resources management plans: supplementary), in subsection...
In section 2B (strategic priorities and objectives: Wales) (inserted by...
In section 38B (publication of statistical information about complaints)—
(1) Section 39A (information to be given to customers about...
In section 39B (drought plans: preparation and review)—
In section 39C (drought plans: provision of information)—
In section 42 (financial conditions for compliance with the duty...
Sections 43 and 43A (calculations for the purpose of section...
In section 47 (conditions of connection with water main), in...
Section 48 (interest on sums provided by way of security)...
(1) Section 52 (domestic supply duty) is amended as follows....
In section 55 (supplies for non-domestic purposes), in subsection (1A)(b),...
In section 6 (appointment of relevant undertakers), in subsection (5A),...
(1) Section 61 (disconnections for non-payment of charges) is amended...
In section 63 (general duties of undertakers with respect to...
In the italic heading preceding section 63AA, for “licensed water...
(1) Section 63AA (supply by licensed water supplier: domestic supply...
(1) Section 63AB (supply by licensed water supplier: non-domestic supply)...
(1) Section 63AC (interim duty of water undertaker: domestic and...
In the italic heading preceding section 68, for “licensed water...
(1) Section 68 (duties with respect to water quality) is...
(1) Section 69 (regulations for preserving water quality) is amended...
In section 72 (contamination of water sources), in subsection (5)(c)...
(1) Section 10 (transitional provision with respect to replacement appointments)...
In section 73 (offences of contaminating, wasting and misusing water...
(1) Section 74 (regulations for preventing contamination, waste etc and...
(1) Section 75 (power to prevent damage and to take...
In section 76 (temporary bans on use)—
(1) Section 78 (local authority functions in relation to undertakers'...
(1) Section 86 (assessors for the enforcement of water quality)...
In section 87 (fluoridation of water supplies at request of...
In section 87C (fluoridation arrangements: compliance), in subsection (4)(b), for...
In section 90 (indemnities in respect of fluoridation), in subsection...
In section 93 (interpretation of Part 3), in subsection (1),...
In section 12 (determinations under conditions of appointment)—
(1) In section 93A (duty to promote the efficient use...
(1) Section 93B (power of Authority to impose requirements on...
(1) Section 93C (publicity of requirements imposed under section 93B)...
(1) Section 93D (information as to compliance with requirements under...
In the heading to Chapter 1 of Part 4 (general...
In section 95B (publication of statistical information about complaints)—
(1) Section 96A (information to be given to customers about...
In section 99 (financial conditions for compliance with the duty...
Sections 100 and 100A (calculations for the purposes of section...
In section 101B (power to provide lateral drain following provision...
For the heading of Chapter 1A of Part 2 there...
In section 102 (adoption of sewers and disposal works), in...
In section 104 (agreements to adopt sewers, etc), subsection (9)...
In section 105 (appeals with respect to adoption)—
In section 105C (adoption schemes: supplementary), in subsection (2), after...
In section 106B (requirement to enter into agreement before connection...
In section 107 (right of sewerage undertaker to undertake the...
In section 113 (power to alter drainage system of premises...
In section 117 (interpretation of Chapter 2), in subsection (5)(a),...
(1) Section 146 (connection charges etc) is amended as follows....
In section 147 (charging for use of emergency water), in...
In this Schedule— “fish regulations” means regulations containing provision which—...
(1) Regulating the transfer or surrender of permits.
Authorising the Minister to make schemes for the charging by...
Authorising, or authorising the Minister to make schemes for, the...
(1) Requiring persons who propose to carry out activities of...
Requiring persons to apply for a permit under the regulations...
(1) Authorising a regulator, where a person is carrying on...
Imposing requirements, or authorising regulators to impose requirements, on persons...
Enabling persons of any specified description (whether or not they...
Securing— (a) that publicity is given to specified matters;
Requiring or authorising regulators to carry out consultation in connection...
In this Schedule— “functions” includes powers and duties; “regulated activity”...
(1) Conferring on regulators functions with respect to the monitoring...
Authorising regulators to serve on holders of permits—
Authorising regulators to suspend the operation of permits so far...
Establishing a procedure for the resolution of disputes in relation...
Providing for the enforcement of notices served by regulators under...
Where action is required to be taken by a person...
Creating offences and dealing with matters relating to such offences,...
Enabling, where a person has been convicted of an offence...
Where a person causes damage to any structure constructed, altered...
Conferring rights of appeal in respect of decisions made, notices...
(1) Establishing standards, objectives or requirements in relation to—
(1) Making provision which, subject to any modifications that the...
Making provision about the application of the regulations to the...
(1) The regulations may, if they are water regulations, authorise...
The regulations may make provision for anything which, by virtue...
The regulations may make provision authorising regulators to arrange for...
In connection with the determination of conditions as mentioned in...
The regulations may— (a) require any such scheme as is...
(1) The regulations may provide for any such offence as...
(1) To the extent that the regulations bind the Crown...
(1) Determining the authorities (whether public or local or the...
Enabling the Minister to give directions which regulators are to...
Prohibiting persons from carrying on any activities of any specified...
Specifying restrictions or other requirements in connection with the grant...
(1) Prescribing the contents of permits. (2) Authorising permits to...
(1) Requiring permits or the conditions to which permits are...
The Land Drainage Act 1991 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 2 (review of boundaries of internal drainage districts)...
(1) Section 3 (schemes for reorganisation of internal drainage districts...
(1) Section 38 (orders subdividing a district for the purposes...
(1) Section 39 (petition for subdivision of internal drainage district)...
(1) Section 48 (procedure for making of rate) is amended...
(1) Section 58 (allocation of appropriate agency revenue for its...
(1) Paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 (byelaws: publicity for application...
In the Schedule to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings)...
In section 143(1) (power of Environment Agency and Natural Resources...
(1) Section 145 (interpretation of Chapter 2 of Part 6)...
(1) Section 166 (power of Environment Agency and Natural Resources...
In section 221(1) (interpretation of terms in the Act), in...
In Schedule 15 (supplemental provisions with respect to drainage charges),...
In Schedule 26 (procedure relating to bye-laws made by the...
In section 6 of the Environment Act 1995 (general provisions...
In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of...
In Schedule 3 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act...
In Schedule 1 to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer...
In section 25 of the Local Government Act 1974 (authorities...
In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of...
In section 1 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (internal...
The Water Resources Act 1991 is amended as follows.
(1) Section 134 (raising of general drainage charges) is amended...
(1) Section 135 (amount, assessment etc of general drainage charge)...
(1) Section 137 (special drainage charges in the interests of...
(1) Section 138 (levying and amount of special drainage charge)...
(1) The provision that may be made by an order...
(1) A section 91 order may provide for new section...
(1) In this Schedule— “new restricted retail authorisation” means a...
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision for old...
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
(1) A section 91 order may make provision in connection...
(1) A section 91 order may make provision for the...
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision as regards...
(1) Where a section 91 order makes provision as regards...
(1) A section 91 order may include provision for securing...
In relation to the sections and Schedules listed in the...
A statutory instrument containing an order to be made by...
In the table in paragraph 1— (a) “wholly or mainly...
In this Schedule— (a) references to water undertakers' supply systems...
Browse 95 other sections — procedural / definitional / commencement
Types of water supply licence and arrangements with water undertakers
The supply system of a water undertaker
The threshold requirement
Types of sewerage licence and arrangements with sewerage undertakers
Water supply and sewerage licensing changes applied as regards Wales
Arrangements with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland
Arrangements with the Water Services Regulation Authority
Bulk supply of water by water undertakers
Main connections into sewerage systems
Agreements by water undertakers to adopt infrastructure
Agreements by sewerage undertakers to adopt infrastructure
Arrangements for water undertakers to take water from other persons
Procedure with respect to appointments and variations
Exceptions to duty and undertakings in lieu of merger references
Exclusion of small mergers: advice of CMA on threshold
Charges schemes
Rules about charges for connections
Charges for providing a water main etc
Charges for providing a public sewer etc
Charges for moving pipes
Drainage systems relieving public sewers
Primary duty to secure resilience
General duty as regards undue preference in the provision of services
Strategic priorities and objectives
Procedure for granting water supply and sewerage licences
Extension of time limit for imposing financial penalties
Water resources management plans for England: resilience
Frequency of water resources management and drought plans
Standards of performance: water supply
Standards of performance: sewerage
Interim duty: water supply
Interim duty: sewerage services
Notice of agreements within section 142(2)(b)
Register relating to undertakers and licensees
Operation of register
Obtaining information for enforcement purposes
Appeals relating to revisions of codes
Guidance relating to rules about charges
Exercise of adjudication functions by other persons
Charging of fees by assessors for the enforcement of water quality
Disputes about the provision of public sewers: premises in Wales
Retail exit: non-household premises
Application for retail exit
Eligible licensees
Transfer of undertaking
Operation of retail market
Operation of retail market: charges etc
Exit applications: further provision
Modification of appointment and licence conditions
General directions
Exit regulations: general
Interpretation
Procedure
Consumer redress
Modification of appointment and licence conditions
Further amendments
Report on water abstraction reform
Withdrawal of compensation for undertakers
Main rivers in England and Wales
Maps of waterworks
Regulation of the water environment
Environmental regulation: procedure
Repeal of certain provisions about culverts
The Flood Reinsurance Scheme
Scheme administrator
Scheme funding
Scheme administration
Replacement of the scheme or administrator
Disclosure of
Flood insurance obligations
Target number
Information
Section 72: further provision
Register of premises subject to greater flood risk
Functions of relevant bodies
Reviews and appeals
Expenses of relevant bodies
Compliance reports
Functions of the FCA
Reports by the FCA
Intervention by the FCA or the PRA
Interpretation
Period of operation
Regulations and orders
Internal drainage boards: procedure for orders confirming reorganisation
Internal drainage boards in England: alternative procedure for byelaws
Publication requirements under the Land Drainage Act 1991
Sustainable drainage systems: non-performance bonds
Amendments relating to Regional Flood and Coastal Committees
Power to make consequential provision
Transitional, transitory or saving provision
Financial provisions
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Ofwat
PrimaryWater Services Regulation Authority
Economic regulator for the water and sewerage sectors in England and Wales. Sets price limits, monitors service quality, and enforces environmental duties. …
Drinking Water Inspectorate
Regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales. Audits water companies, investigates water quality incidents, and approves products and substances used in …
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities. Sets environmental policy and works with agencies …
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