Channel Tunnel Act 1987

Use of sewers, etc. for removing water

14 (1) The appropriate authority may use for the discharge of any water pumped or found during the construction of the scheduled works or any works in connection with those works any available stream or watercourse or any public sewer, and for that purpose may lay down, take up and alter conduits, pipes and other works and may make any convenient connections with any such stream, watercourse or public sewer within the limits of deviation for their scheduled works.

(2) The appropriate authority shall not under the powers of this paragraph discharge any water into any sewer vested in or under the control of a water authority, internal drainage board or local authority except with the consent of that authority or board (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) and subject to such terms and conditions as that authority or board may reasonably impose; and the appropriate authority shall not make an opening into any such sewer except in accordance with plans reasonably approved by, and under the superintendence (if given) of, that authority or board.

(3) The discharge of water under the powers conferred by this paragraph into any stream shall not prejudice the application of Part II of the [1974 c. 40.] Control of Pollution Act 1974 but section 31 of that Act shall have effect in relation to discharges under the powers of this paragraph into any relevant waters within the meaning of that section as if no matter so discharged were trade or sewage effluent or other matter mentioned in subsection (2)(e) of that section.

(4) In the exercise of their powers under this paragraph the appropriate authority shall not damage or interfere with—

(a) the bed of any watercourse forming part of the main river of a water authority or the banks thereof within the meaning of section 116 of the [1976 c. 70.] Land Drainage Act 1976; or

(b) a metropolitan watercourse within the meaning of paragraph 1 of Schedule 5 to that Act.

(5) The appropriate authority shall take all such steps as may be reasonably required to secure that any water discharged under the powers of this paragraph shall be as free as may be reasonably practicable from any gravel, chalk, soil or other solid substance or matter in suspension.

(6) Any difference arising between the appropriate authority and a water authority, internal drainage board or local authority under this paragraph shall be determined by arbitration.