Part I The Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Chapter II The Scottish Environment Protection Agency

General powers and duties

34 General duties with respect to water.

1

It shall be the duty of SEPA—

a

to promote the cleanliness of—

i

rivers, other inland waters and ground waters in Scotland; and

ii

the tidal waters of Scotland; and

b

to conserve so far as practicable the water resources of Scotland.

2

Without prejudice to section 32 above, it shall be the duty of SEPA, to such extent as it considers desirable, generally to promote—

a

the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty and amenity of inland and coastal waters and of land associated with such waters; and

b

the conservation of flora and fauna which are dependent on an aquatic environment.

3

Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to section 1 of the M1Water (Scotland) Act 1980 (general duties of Secretary of State and water authorities as respects water resources and supplies).

4

In subsection (1) above, “tidal waters” means any part of the sea or the tidal part of any river, watercourse or inland water (whether natural or artificial) and includes the waters of any enclosed dock which adjoins tidal waters.