OpenLegislation

Water Resources Act 1991 in Scotland

1991 c. 57 · Enacted 25 July 1991 · Extends to England, Wales and Scotland

Not fully up to date. 17 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 16 July 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 222(9)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 272(a)(i)
s. 222(9)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 272(a)(ii)
s. 222(10)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 272(b)
Sch. 6 para. 1(6)(ba)words substitutedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 273(b)
Sch. 6 para. 1(4)(a)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 273(a)
s. 183(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 269(a)(i)
s. 183(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 269(a)(ii)
s. 183(2)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 269(b)
s. 208(3)(a)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 270
s. 221(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 271(a)
s. 221(1)words insertedPlanning (Consequential Provisions) (Wales) Act 2026 Sch. 2 para. 271(b)
s. 88(1)(b)repealedPollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 Sch. 3
s. 204(2)(a)words repealedPollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 Sch. 3
s. 204(3)(a)words repealedPollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 Sch. 3
s. 205(6)words substituted for para. (a)(b)Criminal Justice Act 2003 Sch. 32 para. 160
s. 110(1)words substitutedFlood and Water Management Act 2010 Sch. 2 para. 42
s. 29modifiedWater Resources (Abstraction and Impounding) 2006 reg. 15

Contents

  1. Part I: PRELIMINARY
  2. Chapter I: THE NATIONAL RIVERS AUTHORITY
  3. 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Repealed
  4. Advisory committees
  5. Flood defence committees
  6. Restrictions on abstraction and impounding
  7. 24AAbstraction licences
  8. 33APower to provide for further exemptions
  9. 37APower to dispense with publication requirements
  10. 39AProtected rights for the purposes of this Chapter
  11. 39BRegister of certain protected rights
  12. 46BPower to impose general conditions with respect to licensed activity by water companies
  13. Succession to licences
  14. 59Regulations with respect to modification applications.
  15. 59BVesting of licence on death or bankruptcy of holder
  16. 59DApportionment of licence to abstract: supplementary
  17. 61ZANo compensation where modification to protect environment: England
  18. 61ZBNo compensation where variation to remove excess headroom: England
  19. 65Licences of right.
  20. 76Provisions of drought order restricting use of water.
  21. 81Interpretation of Chapter III.
  22. Chapter I: QUALITY OBJECTIVES
  23. 82Classification of quality of waters.
  24. Principal offences
  25. Offences in connection with deposits and vegetation in rivers
  26. Consents for the purposes of sections 88 to 90
  27. Appeals in respect of consents under Chapter II
  28. Chapter IIA: Abandoned Mines
  29. Chapter IV: SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO WATER POLLUTIONS
  30. 100Civil liability in respect of pollution and savings.
  31. 101Limitation for summary offences under Part III.
  32. General
  33. Supplemental
  34. 112Flood defence regulations.
  35. Charges in connection with control of pollution
  36. General drainage charges
  37. Special drainage charges
  38. Interpretation of Chapter II
  39. Chapter III: GRANTS AND LOANS
  40. Borrowing by the Authority
  41. Part VII: Land and Works Powers
  42. Chapter I: POWERS OF THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY
  43. 161Anti-pollution works and operations
  44. 161ZAOther works and operations in respect of harm to controlled waters
  45. 161ZBWorks and operations for improving controlled waters
  46. 161ANotices requiring persons to carry out works and operations
  47. 161AAWorks notices: form etc
  48. 161CAppeals against works notices.
  49. Flood defence and drainage works
  50. 166Power to carry out works for purpose of providing flood warning system.
  51. 167ASection 167A
  52. 173Powers of entry: supplemental provisions.
  53. Offence of interference with works etc.
  54. Compensation etc. in respect of exercise of works powers
  55. Savings in respect of existing drainage obligations
  56. Interpretation of Part VII
  57. Annual report and publication of information
  58. Main river map for England
  59. 193The main river map for England
  60. 193AInspection and copies
  61. 193BReplacing the main river map for England
  62. 193CDeterminations as to main rivers
  63. 193DAppeals
  64. 193EGuidance
  65. Main river map for Wales
  66. 194The main river map for Wales
  67. 194AInspection and copies
  68. 194BReplacing the main river map for Wales
  69. 194CDeterminations as to main rivers
  70. 194DAppeals
  71. 194EGuidance
  72. 199AAppeals against conservation notices under section 199
  73. Restriction on disclosure of information
  74. Making of false statements etc.
  75. Miscellaneous
  76. Local inquiries
  77. Judicial disqualification
  78. Powers to make regulations
  79. Construction of Act
  80. 220Provisions relating to service of documents.
  81. Other supplemental provisions
  82. Powers to transfer functions or property
  83. Consultation with affected body
  84. Public consultation
  85. Supplemental provisions of order
  86. 4Paragraph 4
  87. Objection to final order by affected bodies
  88. Public notice of order
  89. 6Paragraph 6
  90. Challenge of order
  91. 7Paragraph 7
  92. Effect of order or agreement
  93. Ministers’ expenses
  94. 9Paragraph 9
  95. Compensation for officers and staff
  96. Power to amend local enactments
  97. 11Paragraph 11
  98. Interpretation
  99. 12Paragraph 12
  100. Application of Schedule
  101. 1Paragraph 1
  102. Notice of proposed statement
  103. Duty to provide copy of draft statement
  104. Approval of draft statement
  105. Notice and inspection of approved statement
  106. Notice of draft order
  107. Duty to provide copy of draft order
  108. 2Paragraph 2
  109. Making of order
  110. 3Paragraph 3
  111. Notice and inspection of final order
  112. 4Paragraph 4
  113. Schedule 7: LICENCES OF RIGHT
  114. Applications for licences of right under paragraph 30 or 31 of Schedule 26 to the Water Act 1989
  115. Section 48 of this Act
  116. 2Paragraph 2
  117. Section 55 of this Act
  118. 3Paragraph 3
  119. Section 60 of this Act
  120. Section 61 of this Act
  121. 5Paragraph 5
  122. Licences of right
  123. 6Paragraph 6
  124. Objections to and making of orders
  125. Notice after making of order
  126. 3Paragraph 3
  127. Schedule 9: COMPENSATION IN RESPECT OF DROUGHT ORDERS
  128. Compensation to be made in the case of all drought orders
  129. 1Paragraph 1
  130. Compensation to be made in the case of ordinary orders only
  131. Claims for compensation: general
  132. Claims for compensation under paragraph 2
  133. Application for consent Repealed
  134. 1Paragraph 1 Repealed
  135. Consultation in connection with applications Repealed
  136. 2Paragraph 2 Repealed
  137. Consideration and determination of applications Repealed
  138. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  139. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  140. Reference to Secretary of State of certain applications for consent Repealed
  141. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  142. Consents without applications Repealed
  143. 6Paragraph 6 Repealed
  144. Revocation of consents and alteration and imposition of conditions Repealed
  145. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  146. Restriction on variation and revocation of consent and previous variation Repealed
  147. 8Paragraph 8 Repealed
  148. General review of consents Repealed
  149. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  150. Applications for variation Repealed
  151. 10Paragraph 10 Repealed
  152. Transfer of consents Repealed
  153. Application for consent
  154. Supply of copies of draft orders
  155. Modifications of proposals
  156. Consideration of objections etc.
  157. Orders made only on application Repealed
  158. Procedure for applications Repealed
  159. Part II: ORDERS CONTAINING MANDATORY PROVISIONS Repealed
  160. Publication of proposal for order containing mandatory provisions Repealed
  161. Supply of copies of proposed orders Repealed
  162. 4Paragraph 4 Repealed
  163. Modifications of proposals Repealed
  164. 5Paragraph 5 Repealed
  165. Consideration of objections et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  166. Consent of Treasury for payment provisions Repealed
  167. 7Paragraph 7 Repealed
  168. Order under section 32(3) of the 1974 Act Repealed
  169. Pre-1989 transitional provisions Repealed
  170. 3Paragraph 3 Repealed
  171. Discharge consents on application of undertakers et ceteralaetc. Repealed
  172. Procedure on application for order
  173. Order making procedure etc.
  174. Determination of whether to make order
  175. 3Paragraph 3
  176. Notice of orders
  177. 4Paragraph 4
  178. Challenge to orders
  179. Power to make regulations for purposes of Schedule etc.
  180. 6Paragraph 6
  181. Raising of drainage charge
  182. Publication of drainage charge
  183. Occupiers liable for drainage charge
  184. Cases where identity of occupiers in doubt
  185. Arrangements for owner of land to pay drainage charge
  186. Power of occupier to prevent arrangements under paragraph 5
  187. Assessment of chargeable land to drainage charge
  188. 7Paragraph 7
  189. Partial exemption of commercial woodlands
  190. 8Paragraph 8
  191. Returns with respect to land
  192. Power to correct erroneous assessments etc.
  193. Appeals against demands for drainage charges
  194. Recovery of drainage charges
  195. Use of certain authorities as agents for assessment, collection etc. of drainage charges
  196. Submission of scheme
  197. Confirmation of scheme
  198. Notice of proposed order
  199. Determination of whether to make order
  200. 4Paragraph 4
  201. Procedure and other matters after the making of an order
  202. 5Paragraph 5
  203. Orders subject to special parliamentary procedure
  204. 6Paragraph 6
  205. Notice of unconfirmed orders
  206. 7Paragraph 7
  207. Challenge to unconfirmed orders
  208. Power to make regulations for purposes of Schedule
  209. 9Paragraph 9
  210. Interpretation
  211. 10Paragraph 10
  212. Schedule 17: ORDERS WITH RESPECT TO NAVIGATION TOLLS
  213. Orders to be made by statutory instrument
  214. 1Paragraph 1
  215. Inquiries
  216. 2Paragraph 2
  217. Notice of order
  218. 3Paragraph 3
  219. Orders subject to special parliamentary procedure
  220. 4Paragraph 4
  221. Schedule 18: MODIFICATION OF COMPENSATION PROVISION ETC IN RELATION TO THE CREATION OF NEW RIGHTS
  222. Compensation enactments
  223. 1Paragraph 1
  224. Adaptation of the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965
  225. 2Paragraph 2
  226. Section 7 of the 1965 Act
  227. 3Paragraph 3
  228. Section 8 of the 1965 Act
  229. Effect of deed poll
  230. 5Paragraph 5
  231. Section 11 of the 1965 Act
  232. 6Paragraph 6
  233. Section 20 of the 1965 Act
  234. 7Paragraph 7
  235. Section 22 of the 1965 Act
  236. 8Paragraph 8
  237. Applications for orders
  238. Supply of copies of draft orders
  239. Powers on an application
  240. Consideration of objections etc.
  241. Notice after making of order
  242. Compulsory acquisition provisions
  243. Compensation in certain cases of compulsory acquisition
  244. Compensation in respect of powers other than acquisition powers
  245. Protection of public undertakings
  246. 9Paragraph 9
  247. Interpretation
  248. Notice of entry
  249. 1Paragraph 1
  250. Warrant to exercise power
  251. 2Paragraph 2
  252. Manner of exercise of powers
  253. 3Paragraph 3
  254. Supplementary powers of person making entry etc.
  255. 4Paragraph 4
  256. Duty to secure premises
  257. 5Paragraph 5
  258. Compensation
  259. Obstruction of person exercising power
  260. Interpretation
  261. Schedule 21: CCOMPENSATION ETC. IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN WORKS POWER
  262. Compensation in respect of street works powers
  263. Compensation in respect of pipe-laying works on private land
  264. Assessment of compensation under paragraph 2
  265. Compensation in respect of discharges for works purposes
  266. Compensation in respect of flood defence and drainage works
  267. General provisions protecting undertakings
  268. Protection for statutory powers and jurisdiction
  269. Special protection for certain undertakings in respect of street works
  270. Protection for railways in connection with carrying out of flood defence functions
  271. 4Paragraph 4
  272. Protection for electronic communications networks
  273. Interpretation
  274. Acquisition of mineral rights
  275. Notice required for the working of underlying mines
  276. Mining communications
  277. Compensation relating to severance
  278. Powers of entry
  279. No exemption for injury to mines and minerals
  280. Interpretation
  281. Byelaws for regulating use of inland waters
  282. Byelaws for regulating the use of navigable waters etc.
  283. Byelaws for controlling certain forms of pollution
  284. Byelaws for flood defence and drainage purposes
  285. Byelaws for purposes of fisheries functions
  286. Fisheries byelaws for marine or aquatic environmental purposes
  287. 6AParagraph 6A
  288. Restrictions on powers to make byelaws for fisheries purposes
  289. Confirmation of byelaws
  290. Confirmation with or without modifications
  291. Commencement of byelaw
  292. 3Paragraph 3
  293. Availability of confirmed byelaws
  294. Revocation of byelaws
  295. Proof of byelaws
  296. Meaning of “the relevant Minister"
  297. Emergency fisheries byelaws
  298. Commencement
  299. 2Paragraph 2
  300. Notification of the appropriate national authority
  301. 3Paragraph 3
  302. Publication
  303. 4Paragraph 4
  304. Amendment and revocation
  305. 5Paragraph 5
  306. Expiry and extension
  307. 6Paragraph 6
  308. 7Paragraph 7
  309. Availability
  310. 8Paragraph 8
  311. Proof
  312. 9Paragraph 9
  313. “Appropriate national authority”
  314. 10Paragraph 10
  315. Schedule: Table of Derivations
  316. 1Paragraph 1
  317. 2Paragraph 2
  318. 3Paragraph 3