What UK Water Industry Act 1991 - Ofwat Economic Regulation of Water and Sewerage Undertakers, Drinking Water Inspectorate and Customer Protection requires
The Water Industry Act 1991 (WIA, c.56, royal assent 25 July 1991) is the principal UK consolidation Act governing the regulation of water and sewerage services in England and Wales. It codifies the post-privatisation regulatory framework established by the Water Act 1989, under which water and sewerage undertakers were established as appointed regional monopolies. The Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat, established by Water Act 2003 succeeding the Director General of Water Services) is the economic regulator setting price controls, monitoring service performance, and protecting customer interests under the WIA Part I (sections 1-26). The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) within DEFRA regulates drinking water quality under WIA Sections 67-86. The Environment Agency (formerly NRA) regulates environmental aspects of water resources, abstraction, and pollution. Section 18 enforcement powers, Section 27 universal water supply duties, Section 37 general duties of undertakers, Sections 70-72 wholesomeness and water quality, Section 94 duty to provide sewerage system, and Schedule 12 customer redress mechanism. Substantially amended by Water Act 2003, Water Act 2014 (introducing competition for non-household retail), and Environment Act 2021 (introducing storm overflow reduction and water resources management plan requirements).
Pillar: Water & Environmental Resources · Authority: Water Services Regulation Authority (Ofwat); Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) within Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Environment Agency for environmental aspects; coverage England and Wales · Version: 1.0.0 · Last updated:
Primary source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56/contents
SHA-256 integrity: 5dfab48378e50674498f1f2f83e2389c149ced1e302017547b8a17c314d6f2b9
Primary Citations — 7 traced to source
- Water Industry Act 1991, c.56 (royal assent 25 July 1991), as amended; principal sections include Part I (Ofwat regulation), Part II (water supply duties), Part III (water supply quality), Part IV (sewerage services), Part V (Drought Plan and Water Resources Management Plan)
- Water Industry Act 1999, Water Act 2003 (Ofwat reform), Water Act 2014 (retail competition, sustainable abstraction), Environment Act 2021 (storm overflows, abstraction licence variation) - principal amending statutes
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