Water Act 1989

6 (1) In subsection (1) of section 24 of the 1963 Act (exceptions from general restrictions), for the words “one thousand gallons”, in each place where they occur, there shall be substituted the words “five cubic metres”.

(2) After that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A) The restriction imposed by subsection (1) of the last preceding section does not apply to any abstraction of a quantity of water not exceeding twenty cubic metres if the abstraction is with the consent of the National Rivers Authority and does not form part of a continuous operation, or of a series of operations, whereby in the aggregate more than twenty cubic metres of water are abstracted.”

(3) In subsection (2) of that section (exception for abstraction for domestic purposes or agricultural purposes), after paragraph (b) there shall be inserted the words—

“unless the abstraction is such that the quantity of water abstracted from that inland water by or on behalf of the occupier by virtue of this subsection exceeds twenty cubic metres, in aggregate, in any period of twenty-four hours.”

(4) In subsection (3) of that section (exception for abstraction from underground strata for domestic purposes), at the end there shall be inserted the words—

“unless the abstraction is such that the quantity of water abstracted from the strata by or on behalf of that individual by virtue of this subsection exceeds twenty cubic metres, in aggregate, in any period of twenty-four hours.”

(5) Sub-paragraphs (3) and (4) above shall not have effect until the end of the period of twelve months beginning with the transfer date.