Explanatory note

These Regulations, made together by the National Assembly for Wales in relation to undertakers whose area is wholly or mainly in Wales, and the Secretary of State in relation to all other undertakers, prescribe how water undertakers are to prepare and publish drought plans.

The obligation for water undertakers to prepare and maintain a drought plan arises under section 39B(1) of the Water Industry Act 1991 (inserted by section 63 of the Water Act 2003). Section 39B(5) of this Act applies the powers to make regulations in section 37B, in relation to water resources plans, to drought plans.

Regulation 2 prescribes the method of publication of a draft drought plan and the persons to whom it and the accompanying statement must be copied. Regulation 3 prescribes what information water undertakers must specify in a statement accompanying a draft drought plan for the purpose of dealing with representations. Regulation 4 prescribes how water undertakers are to deal with representations received in relation to a draft drought plan, while regulation 5 provides that an inquiry or other hearing may be held in connection with a draft drought plan. Regulations 6 prescribes the method of publication of the water undertaker’s completed drought plan.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment in relation to these Regulations has been prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament. Copies of this document can be obtained from the Water Supply & Regulation Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rm 3/G18, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DE.