New Water Plan Regulations

Under the terms of the Water Industry Act 1991 as amended, water undertakers have obligations to prepare and maintain a water resources management plan. The Water Resources Management Plan Regulations 2007 SI2007 No 727 came into force on 1 April 2007 and prescribe the method of publication of a draft management plan as well as listing the persons to whom documents must be copied. These include a full range of local authorities, regional development agencies and the like. The water undertakers also have a responsibility to publish a statement with the management plan, inviting representations to the Secretary of State for the Environment or the National Assembly for Wales. Details of representations are required to be published and the water undertaker must specify how it is dealing with those representations. Both the Secretary of State and the National Assembly have a power to hold an inquiry or hearing to consider disputes.

Water Management - Environment Agency Consult

The Environment Agency has issued a consultation paper identifying what they describe as significant water management issues - see "Summary of Significant Water Management Issues (Environment Agency)". A separate consultation document and supporting information has been prepared for each river basin development area. The consultation has as its background the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England & Wales) Regulations 2003. The directive requires the establishment of an integrated framework for the management of surface water and ground water, based on river basin districts. Issues such as the availability of water, the maintenance of quality and the management of flood risk are required to be considered. The consultation documents address:

  • An overview of the main pressures and issues arising in each river basin district;
  • A requirement that these pressures and issues should be addressed in the river basin management plan; and
  • An indication of steps already being taken and planned to secure the achievement of the directive's objectives.

We have previously advised that the river basin management plans and the overall policy of HM Government and the Environment Agency will be very important factors in relation to development as well as extant land uses in commerce and industry.

The consultation documents will need careful study. Please contact the Planning and Environment Group if you would like to have assistance in this important area.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.