Water Industry Act 1991

141 Interpretation of Chapter III.E+W

(1)In this Chapter, except in so far as the context otherwise requires—

  • [F1“appropriate agency” means—

    (a)

    in relation to the discharge or proposed discharge of special category effluent to a public sewer that directly or indirectly discharges or is to discharge (other than via a storm-water overflow sewer) that effluent to any controlled waters in England, the Environment Agency;

    (b)

    in relation to the discharge or proposed discharge of special category effluent to a public sewer that directly or indirectly discharges or is to discharge (other than via a storm-water overflow sewer) that effluent to any controlled waters in Wales, the NRBW;]

  • special category effluent” has the meaning given by section 138 above;

  • trade effluent”—

(a)means any liquid, either with or without particles of matter in suspension in the liquid, which is wholly or partly produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at trade premises; and

(b)in relation to any trade premises, means any such liquid which is so produced in the course of any trade or industry carried on at those premises,

but does not include domestic sewage;

trade premises” means, subject to subsection (2) below, any premises used or intended to be used for carrying on any trade or industry.

(2)For the purposes of this Chapter any land or premises used or intended for use (in whole or in part and whether or not for profit)—

(a)for agricultural or horticultural purposes or for the purposes of fish farming; or

(b)for scientific research or experiment,

shall be deemed to be premises used for carrying on a trade or industry; and the references to a trade or industry in the definition of “trade effluent” in subsection (1) above shall include references to agriculture, horticulture, fish farming and scientific research or experiment.

(3)Every application or consent made or given under this Chapter shall be made or given in writing.

(4)Nothing in this Chapter shall affect any right with respect to water in a river stream or watercourse, or authorise any infringement of such a right, except in so far as any such right would dispense with the requirements of this Chapter so far as they have effect by virtue of any regulations under section 138 above.