23.—(1) Where Scottish Water—
(a)investigates a failure or apprehended failure for the purposes of regulation 17(1); and
(b)that investigation establishes that the failure is due to a domestic distribution system in premises where water is supplied to the public (or to the maintenance of that system),
the Scottish Ministers may give a direction to a local authority for the area in which the premises is located in relation to the exercise of its functions under sections 76FB and 76FC of the 1980 Act.
(2) A direction under paragraph (1) may, in particular, specify—
(a)any advice which the local authority must require to be given to consumers in relation to the failure by notice under section 76FB(3)(d) of that Act;
(b)any steps which the local authority must require to be taken under section 76FB(3)(b) and (e) of that Act; and
(c)the period which the local authority must specify under section 76FB(3)(c) of that Act.
(3) A local authority must comply with a direction given under paragraph (1) above.