The Water Industry Act 1991 (“WIA”), as amended by provisions in Part 2 of the Water Act 2003, establishes the Consumer Council for Water and abolishes the customer service committees established under section 28(1) of the WIA. Part 2 of these Regulations makes consequential amendments and supplementary provision to give effect to this.

The WIA, as amended by sections 56 and 101(1) of the Water Act 2003, requires water undertakers to grant licensed water suppliers access to their supply systems under certain conditions and for certain purposes. Part 3 of these Regulations makes consequential amendments to give the water supply licensing regime effect.

The WIA, as amended by provisions in Part 2 of the Water Act 2003, establishes the Water Services Regulation Authority, makes provision for the transfer to that Authority of the functions of the Director General of Water Services and abolishes the office of that Director General. Part 4 of these Regulations makes consequential amendments and supplementary provision to give effect to this.

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations. A regulatory impact assessment in respect of the Water Act 2003 was prepared and placed in the library of each House of Parliament during the passage of the Water Bill. This included an assessment of provisions to which the consequential amendments and supplementary provisions in these Regulations relate. Copies can be obtained from Water Supply and Regulation Division, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE or from the Department's website at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/water/legislation.