Water Industry Act 1991

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Water Industry Act 1991
Act of Parliament
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Long title 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.
Citation 1991 c. 56
Territorial extent  England and Wales (except certain provisions)
Dates
Royal assent 25 July 1991
Status: Amended
Text of statute as originally enacted
Text of the Water Industry Act 1991 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk.

The Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56) is an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament consolidating previous enactments relating to the water supply and the provision of wastewater services in England and Wales. [1] It also implemented recommendations made by the Law Commission. [2]

Contents

Arrangement

The Act is divided into eight parts and a further 15 Schedules are attached.

Sections

Schedules

The Act includes 15 schedules, which include:

Part 2: Water undertakers

As of 1 April 2005 the full list of undertakers was [5]

Water only undertakers were:

Part 3 Water Supply

Part 3 imposes a duty to maintain an efficient and economical water supply system and proscribes 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. [6]

References

  1. Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56): HMSO
  2. Law Commission Report Cm 1483
  3. UK Legislation, Water Industry Act 1991: Schedule 4 as enacted
  4. UK Legislation, Water Industry Act 1991: Schedule 4 (latest available version)
  5. Ofwat, Ofwat: Water companies' contact details
  6. 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