# Water Industry Act 1991, Section 76: Temporary bans on use

Extent: E+W

(1) A water undertaker may prohibit one or more specified uses of water supplied by means of its supply system if it thinks that it is experiencing, or may experience, a serious shortage of water for distribution.
(2) Only the following uses of water may be prohibited—
(a) watering a garden using a hosepipe;
(b) cleaning a private motor-vehicle using a hosepipe;
(c) watering plants on domestic or other non-commercial premises using a hosepipe;
(d) cleaning a private leisure boat using a hosepipe;
(e) filling or maintaining a domestic swimming or paddling pool;
(f) drawing water, using a hosepipe, for domestic recreational use;
(g) filling or maintaining a domestic pond using a hosepipe;
(h) filling or maintaining an ornamental fountain;
(i) cleaning walls, or windows, of domestic premises using a hosepipe;
(j) cleaning paths or patios using a hosepipe;
(k) cleaning other artificial outdoor surfaces using a hosepipe.
(3) The Minister may by order—
(a) add a non-domestic purpose to the list in subsection (2);
(b) remove a purpose from the list in subsection (2).
(4) A prohibition must specify—
(a) the date from which it applies, and
(b) the area to which it applies (which may be all or part of the undertaker's area).
(5) A person who contravenes a prohibition—
(a) is guilty of an offence, and
(b) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
(6) A water undertaker which issues a prohibition must make arrangements for a reasonable reduction of charges which are made in respect of prohibited uses (including arrangements for repayment or credit where charges are paid in advance).
(7) A water undertaker may vary or revoke a prohibition.
(8) The reference in subsection (1) to the supply system of a water undertaker is to be construed in accordance with section 17B.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56/section/76 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/water-industry-act-1991/section-76
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.