57.—(1) The Departments may by order adopt a water management programme with respect to the water resources of any area.
(2) A water management programme may contain—
(a)an assessment of the quantity and quality of the water resources of the area;
(b)a description of the present pattern of use of those resources;
(c)a forecast of the future demand for the use of those resources;
(d)proposals for the future use and management of those resources;
(e)provisions with respect to such matters relating to those resources as appear to the Departments to be appropriate.
(3) Schedule 6 shall have effect with respect to the making of orders under paragraph (1).
(4) A water management programme shall become operative on the date appointed for the purpose in the order under paragraph (1) adopting the programme.
(5) The Departments shall, at intervals which do not exceed 7 years, review any water management programme adopted under this Article.
(6) In this Article and in Schedule 6 “the Departments” means the Department of the Environment and the Department of Agriculture acting jointly.