Water Resources Act 1991

171 Power to carry out surveys and to search for water. E+W

(1) Without prejudice to the rights and powers conferred by the other provisions of this Chapter, any person designated in writing under this section by the Agency [F1 or by the NRBW] may enter any premises for any of the purposes specified in subsection (2) below.

(2) The purposes mentioned in subsection (1) above are the carrying out of any survey or tests for the purpose of determining—

F2 (a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) whether it would be appropriate for the Agency [F3 or the NRBW] to apply for an order under section 168 above and what compulsory powers it would be appropriate to apply for under that section.

(3) The power by virtue of subsection (1) above of a person designated under this section to enter any premises for the purpose of carrying out any survey or tests shall include power—

(a) to carry out experimental borings or other works for the purpose of ascertaining the nature of the sub-soil, the presence of underground water in the sub-soil or the quantity or quality of any such water;

(b) to install and keep monitoring or other apparatus on the premises for the purpose of obtaining the information on which any such determination as is mentioned in subsection (2) above may be made; and

(c) to take away and analyse such samples of water or of any land or articles as the Agency [F4 or the NRBW] considers necessary for any of the purposes so mentioned and has authorised that person to take away and analyse.

(4) [F5 The powers conferred by this section or section 172 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 shall not be exercised on behalf of the Agency or the NRBW in any case for purposes connected with the determination of—]

(a) whether, where or how a reservoir should be constructed; or

(b) whether, where or how a borehole should be sunk for the purpose of abstracting water from or discharging water into any underground strata,

unless the Secretary of State has, in accordance with subsection (5) below, given his written authorisation in relation to that case for the exercise of those powers for those purposes.

(5) The Secretary of State shall not give his authorisation for the purposes of subsection (4) above unless—

(a) he is satisfied that notice of the proposal to apply for the authorisation has been given to the owner and to the occupier of the premises in question; and

(b) he has considered any representation or objections with respect to the proposed exercise of the powers under this section which—

(i) have been duly made to him by the owner or occupier of those premises, within the period of fourteen days beginning with the day after the giving of the notice; and

(ii) have not been withdrawn.

[F6 (6) In relation to the NRBW, the reference to functions in subsection (2)(a) has effect as a reference to relevant transferred functions.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 171(1) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 291(2) (with Sch. 7)

F2 S. 171(2)(a) omitted (13.7.2016) by virtue of Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 14 para. 23(2); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(h) (with reg. 6)

F3 Words in s. 171(2) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 291(3) (with Sch. 7)

F4 Words in s. 171(3)(c) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 291(4) (with Sch. 7)

F5 Words in s. 171(4) substituted (13.7.2016) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), s. 216(3), Sch. 14 para. 23(3); S.I. 2016/733, reg. 3(h) (with reg. 6)

F6 S. 171(6) inserted (1.4.2013) by The Natural Resources Body for Wales (Functions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/755), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 291(5) (with Sch. 7)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 171 applied (with modifications) (W.) (1.12.2011) by The Incidental Flooding and Coastal Erosion (Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2829), arts. 1, 5(2)

C2 S. 171 applied (with modifications) (E.) (1.12.2011) by The Incidental Flooding and Coastal Erosion (England) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2855), arts. 1(c), 5(2)

C3 S. 171 applied (with modifications) (W.) (1.12.2011) by The Incidental Flooding and Coastal Erosion (Wales) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2829), arts. 1, 6(2)

C4 S. 171 applied (with modifications) (E.) (1.12.2011) by The Incidental Flooding and Coastal Erosion (England) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2855), arts. 1(c), 6(2)