The Water Industry Act 1999 (Commencement No. 2) Order 1999

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order commences the remaining provisions of the Water Industry Act 1999 (“the Act”) that were not brought into force by the Water Industry Act 1999 (Commencement No. 1) (Scotland) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/133).

Article 2 brings into force sections 4, 5, 15(1) (partly) and 16 of the Act on 23rd December 1999. These provisions require charges schemes to be approved by the Director General of Water Services (the Director), enable the Secretary of State to make regulations as to provisions to be included in such schemes and to give guidance to the Director on approving them, and make minor and consequential amendments.

Article 3 brings into force sections 3, 6, 7, 9 to 11 and 15 of the Act on 1st April 2000. These provisions require undertakers to charge in accordance with a charges scheme for the supply of water or sewerage services for a dwelling; provide new consumer rights in relation to the basis of charging; regulate undertakers' powers to carry out and charge for metering works; provide for the rights of tenants in relation to metering; and make certain repeals.