Paragraph 1

The powers conferred by sections 52 and 53 are exercised by the Secretary of State for Wales, in relation to companies appointed by him to be water undertakers, and by the Secretary of State for the Environment, in relation to other water undertakers; and in this paragraph and paragraph 3 the reference to a company appointed by the Secretary of State to be a water undertaker includes a reference to a company appointed with the consent of, or in accordance with a general authorisation given by, the Secretary of State.