The Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom consolidating previous enactments relating to the water supply and the provision of wastewater services in England and Wales.Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56): HMSO It also implemented recommendations made by the Law Commission.Law Commission Report Cm 1483
The enactments consolidated by the act were repealed by section 3 of, and schedule 3 to, the Water Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1991.
Provisions The act is divided into eight parts and a further 15 schedules are attached.
Sections Part 1 deals with the appointment and duties of the Director General of Water Services. Part 2 deals with appointment and regulation of Undertakers, the private sector water companies responsible for maintaining the water supply system in the United Kingdom. Part 3 deals with the duties of the water companies with respect to water supply in England and Wales, Part 4 deals with the duties of the water companies with respect to sewerage. Part 5 deals with the financial provisions for operating the system Part 6 gives the water companies certain powers in order to discharge their duties. Part 7 deals with the provision of information to interested parties Part 8 deals with miscellaneous details such as limiting the right to prosecute water companies in respect of sewerage offences.
Schedules The act includes 15 schedules, which include: Schedule 4, dealing with "customer service committees";UK Legislation, Water Industry Act 1991: Schedule 4 as enacted this schedule was repealed by the Water Act 2003.UK Legislation, Water Industry Act 1991: Schedule 4 (latest available version) Schedule 5, dealing with water pressure and constancy of supply; Schedule 6 on Rights of Entry; and Schedule 14 on mineral rights.
Part 2: Water undertakers As of 1 April 2005 the full list of undertakers was:Ofwat, Ofwat: Water companies' contact details Scottish Water Anglian Water Services Ltd Northumbrian Water Ltd Severn Trent Water Ltd Southern Water Services Ltd South West Water Ltd Thames Water Utilities Ltd United Utilities Water PLC [formerly North West Water Ltd] Welsh Water - Dwr Cymru Cyfyngedig Wessex Water Services Ltd Yorkshire Water Services Ltd Water only undertakers were: Bournemouth and West Hampshire Water Plc 1 April 2005 Bristol Water plc 1 April 2005 Cambridge Water plc 1 April 2005 Cholderton and District Water Company Ltd 1 April 2005 Dee Valley Water plc 1 April 2005 Folkestone and Dover Water Services Ltd 1 April 2005 Mid Kent Water Ltd 26 August 2005 Portsmouth Water Ltd 1 April 2005 South East Water Ltd 1 April 2005 South Staffordshire Water plc 30 September 2005 Sutton and East Surrey Water plc 1 April 2005 Tendring Hundred Water Services Ltd 1 April 2005 Three Valleys Water Services plc
Part 3 Water supply Part 3 imposes a duty to maintain an efficient and economical water supply system and prescribes minimum standards of performance in connection with water supply.
Standards of wholesomeness Clause 67 of the act allows the Secretary of State to proscribe Standards of wholesomeness for water; prescribing the purposes for which the water is to be suitable; substances that are to be present or absent and the concentrations.
Part 4 Sewerage services Part 4 deals with sewers.
Sewer adoption Under section 104 a developer can build sewers and agree that the water company will adopt them later.Severn Trent Water, What is the difference between a S104 sewer adoption agreement and adoption under a S102?, published on 25 July 2017, accessed on 14 August 2025
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